Precision-Cut Tissue Slices to Advance Drug Discovery

Precision-cut tissue slices (PCTS) are an effective ex vivo model for studying human diseases, including those involving the tissue microenvironment. PCTS represent a more in vivo-like model for studying complex interactions within tissues compared to cell cultures or in vitro systems.

PCTS preserve the original tissue structure, including the extracellular matrix (ECM), immune components, and cellular heterogeneity, which are crucial for understanding disease processes. Furthermore, PCTS allow for the assessment of treatment responses using multiple readouts, including tissue viability, RNA/protein analyses, histology, and live-cell imaging.

At IMMUNOLOGY2025, WuXi Biology presented a poster describing the successful establishment of ex vivo fibrosis and inflammation models using precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) from rats. The authors highlight the effectiveness of these models through case studies, demonstrating their potential as a translational tool for helping to bridge the gap between in vitro findings and in vivo efficacy.

IMMUNOLOGY2025 Poster_Precision Cut Tissue Slices

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