Modeling Pathophysiology of Human Fallopian Tube Using Microfluidic Organ-on-Chip Technology

Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease, and most high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas originate from the fallopian tube epithelium. Understanding the early events of ovarian cancer tumorigenesis in the fallopian tube is crucial for the development of future detection and intervention strategies. This thesis leverages primary human fallopian tube tissue and organ-on-chip technology to understand the impact of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles on fallopian tube and model the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Our study highlighted the role of extracellular vesicles in the cell signaling reprogramming in fallopian tube tissue and provided insights into how high-grade serous ovarian cancer lesions in the fallopian tube, such as STIC, spread to adjacent healthy tissue. We have also evaluated the impact of polycystic ovarian secretions and PFAS compounds on human fallopian tube biology.