Microfluidic Organ-Chips and Stem Cell Models in the Fight Against COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2, the virus underlying COVID-19, has now been recognized to cause multiorgan disease with a systemic effect on the host. To effectively combat SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent development of COVID-19, it is critical to detect, monitor, and model viral pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip, and human stem cell–derived models to study SARS-CoV-2 infection in the physiological organ microenvironment, together with their limitations. Microfluidic-based detection methods have greatly enhanced the rapidity, accessibility, and sensitivity of viral detection from patient samples. Engineered organ-on-a-chip models that recapitulate in vivo physiology have been developed for many organ systems to study viral pathology. Human stem cell–derived models have been utilized not only to model viral tropism and pathogenesis in a physiologically relevant context but also to screen for effective therapeutic compounds. The combination of all these platforms, along with future advancements, may aid to identify potential targets and develop novel strategies to counteract COVID-19 pathogenesis.