Application of Microphysiological Systems in Schistosomiasis Research: Toward Unraveling the Mechanisms of Egg Extravasation

Martin Omondi Alfred ^1,2* Lucy Ochola ^1* Kennedy Okeyo ^3* Euiwon Bae ³ Paul Ogongo ^1,4 David Odongo ² Njaanake Kariuki ^2* J Paul Robinson ³

• ¹ Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
• ² University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
• ³ Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
• ⁴ University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States

Despite decades of control efforts, the prevalence of schistosomiasis remains high in many endemic regions, posing significant challenges to global health. One of the key factors contributing to the persistence of the disease is the complex life cycle of the Schistosoma parasite, the causative agent, which involves multiple stages of development and intricate interactions with its mammalian hosts and snails. Among the various stages of the parasite lifecycle, the deposition of eggs and their migration through host tissues is significant, as they initiate the onset of the disease pathology by inducing inflammatory reactions and tissue damage. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Schistosoma egg extravasation remains limited, hindering efforts to develop effective interventions. Microphysiological systems, particularly organ-on-a-chip systems, offer a promising approach to study this phenomenon in a controlled experimental setting because they allow the replication of physiological microenvironments in vitro. This review provides an overview of schistosomiasis, introduces the concept of organ-on-a-chip technology, and discusses its potential applications in the field of schistosomiasis research.