Microfluidic cell culture models for tissue engineering

Review of the Development of Methods for Characterization of Microspheres for Use in Embolotherapy: Translating Bench to Cathlab

Therapeutic embolotherapy is the deliberate occlusion of a blood vessel within the body, which can be for the prevention of internal bleeding, stemming of flow through an arteriovenous malformation, or occlusion of blood vessels feeding a tumor. This is achieved using a wide selection of embolic devices such as balloons, coils, gels, glues, and particles. Particulate embolization is often favored for blocking smaller vessels, particularly within hypervascularized tumors, as they are available in calibrated sizes and can be delivered distally via microcatheters for precise occlusion with associated locoregional drug delivery. Embolic performance has been traditionally evaluated using animal models, but with increasing interest in the 3R's (replacement, reduction, refinement), manufacturers, regulators, and clinicians have shown interest in the development of more sophisticated in vitro methods for evaluation and prediction of in vivo performance. Herein the current progress in developing bespoke techniques incorporating physical handling, fluid dynamics, occlusive behavior, and sustained drug elution kinetics within vascular systems is reviewed. While it is necessary to continue to validate the safety of such devices in vivo, great strides have been made in the development of bench tests that better predict the behavior of these products aligned with the principles of the 3R's.

Plasma free reversible and irreversible microfluidic bonding

We demonstrate a facile, plasma free process to fabricate both reversibly and irreversibly sealed microfluidic chips using a PDMS-based adhesive polymer mixture. This is a versatile method that is compatible with current PDMS microfluidics processes. It allows for easier fabrication of multilayer microfluidic devices and is compatible with micropatterning of proteins for cell culturing. When combined with our Shrinky-Dink microfluidic prototyping, complete microfluidic device fabrication can be performed without the need for any capital equipment, making microfluidics accessible to the classroom.

Organs-on-Chips: How Microsystems Technology Can Transform the Drug Development Process

The drug development pipeline, once one of the most successful and lucrative commercial sectors in the United States, is now strained by a combination of factors: increased development costs, lengthy time lines, and the poor predictive power of preclinical studies, among others. These factors, in combination with the need to respond to newly evolving demands?including the trend toward personalized or precision medicine, rising rates for many chronic diseases, and continued threats from emerging infectious diseases?are placing extraordinary pressure on an already strained development process.

Microdroplet chain array for cell migration assays

Establishing cell migration assays in multiple different microenvironments is important in the study of tissue repair and regeneration, cancer progression, atherosclerosis, and arthritis. In this work, we developed a miniaturized and massive parallel microfluidic platform for multiple cell migration assays combining the traditional membrane-based cell migration technique and the droplet-based microfluidic technique. Nanoliter-scale droplets are flexibly assembled as building blocks based on a porous membrane to form microdroplet chains with diverse configurations for different assay modes. Multiple operations including in-droplet 2D/3D cell culture, cell co-culture and cell migration induced by a chemoattractant concentration gradient in droplet chains could be flexibly performed with reagent consumption in the nanoliter range for each assay and an assay scale-up to 81 assays in parallel in one microchip. We have applied the present platform to multiple modes of cell migration assays including the accurate cell migration assay, competitive cell migration assay, biomimetic chemotaxis assay, and multifactor cell migration assay based on the organ-on-a-chip concept, for demonstrating its versatility, applicability, and potential in cell migration-related research.

Finite Element Model of Oxygen Transport for the Design of Geometrically Complex Microfluidic Devices Used in Biological Studies

Red blood cells play a crucial role in the local regulation of oxygen supply in the microcirculation through the oxygen dependent release of ATP. Since red blood cells serve as an oxygen sensor for the circulatory system, the dynamics of ATP release determine the effectiveness of red blood cells to relate the oxygen levels to the vessels. Previous work has focused on the feasibility of developing a microfluidic system to measure the dynamics of ATP release. The objective was to determine if a steep oxygen gradient could be developed in the channel to cause a rapid decrease in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in order to measure the corresponding levels of ATP released from the red blood cells. In the present study, oxygen transport simulations were used to optimize the geometric design parameters for a similar system which is easier to fabricate. The system is composed of a microfluidic device stacked on top of a large, gas impermeable flow channel with a hole to allow gas exchange. The microfluidic device is fabricated using soft lithography in polydimethyl-siloxane, an oxygen permeable material. Our objective is twofold: (1) optimize the parameters of our system and (2) develop a method to assess the oxygen distribution in complex 3D microfluidic device geometries. 3D simulations of oxygen transport were performed to simulate oxygen distribution throughout the device. The simulations demonstrate that microfluidic device geometry plays a critical role in molecule exchange, for instance, changing the orientation of the short wide microfluidic channel results in a 97.17% increase in oxygen exchange. Since microfluidic devices have become a more prominent tool in biological studies, understanding the transport of oxygen and other biological molecules in microfluidic devices is critical for maintaining a physiologically relevant environment. We have also demonstrated a method to assess oxygen levels in geometrically complex microfluidic devices.

Cell sheet mechanics: How geometrical constraints induce the detachment of cell sheets from concave surfaces

Despite of the progress made to engineer structured microtissues such as BioMEMS and 3D bioprinting, little control exists how microtissues transform as they mature, as the misbalance between cell-generated forces and the strength of cell-cell and cell-substrate contacts can result in unintended tissue deformations and ruptures. To develop a quantitative perspective on how cellular contractility, scaffold curvature and cell-substrate adhesion control such rupture processes, human aortic smooth muscle cells were grown on glass substrates with submillimeter semichannels. We quantified cell sheet detachment from 3D confocal image stacks as a function of channel curvature and cell sheet tension by adding different amounts of Blebbistatin and TGF-β to inhibit or enhance cell contractility, respectively. We found that both higher curvature and higher contractility increased the detachment probability. Variations of the adhesive strength of the protein coating on the substrate revealed that the rupture plane was localized along the substrate-extracellular matrix interface for non-covalently adsorbed adhesion proteins, while the collagen-integrin interface ruptured when collagen I was covalently crosslinked to the substrate. Finally, a simple mechanical model is introduced that quantitatively explains how the tuning of substrate curvature, cell sheet contractility and adhesive strength can be used as tunable parameters as summarized in a first semi-quantitative phase diagram. These parameters can thus be exploited to either inhibit or purposefully induce a collective detachment of sheet-like microtissues for the use in tissue engineering and regenerative therapies.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Despite of the significant progress in 3D tissue fabrication technologies at the microscale, there is still no quantitative model that can predict if cells seeded on a 3D structure maintain the imposed geometry while they form a continuous microtissue. Especially, detachment or loss of shape control of growing tissue is a major concern when designing 3D-structured scaffolds. Utilizing semi-cylindrical channels and vascular smooth muscle cells, we characterized how geometrical and mechanical parameters such as curvature of the substrate, cellular contractility, or protein-substrate adhesion strength tune the catastrophic detachment of microtissue. Observed results were rationalized by a theoretical model. The phase diagram showing how unintended tissue detachment progresses would help in designing of mechanically-balanced 3D scaffolds in future tissue engineering applications.

Compartmentalized Platforms for Neuro-Pharmacological Research

Dissociated primary neuronal cell culture remains an indispensable approach for neurobiology research in order to investigate basic mechanisms underlying diverse neuronal functions, drug screening and pharmacological investigation. Compartmentalization, a widely adopted technique since its emergence in 1970s enables spatial segregation of neuronal segments and detailed investigation that is otherwise limited with traditional culture methods. Although these compartmental chambers (e.g. Campenot chamber) have been proven valuable for the investigation of Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) neurons and to some extent within Central Nervous System (CNS) neurons, their utility has remained limited given the arduous manufacturing process, incompatibility with high-resolution optical imaging and limited throughput. The development in the area of microfabrication and microfluidics has enabled creation of next generation compartmentalized devices that are cheap, easy to manufacture, require reduced sample volumes, enable precise control over the cellular microenvironment both spatially as well as temporally, and permit highthroughput testing. In this review we briefly evaluate the various compartmentalization tools used for neurobiological research, and highlight application of the emerging microfluidic platforms towards in vitro single cell neurobiology.

Effects of Differentiation and Antisenescence from BMSCs to Hepatocy-Like Cells of the PAAm-IGF-1/TNF-α Biomaterial

Aiming at the cells' differentiation phenomenon and senescence problem in liver tissue engineering, this work is designed to synthesize three different chargeable polymers (polypropylene acid (PAAc), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polypropylene amine (PAAm)) coimmobilized by the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). We explore the hepatocyte differentiation effect and the antisenecence effect of PSt-PAAm-IGF-1/TNF-α biomaterial which was selected from the three different chargeable polymers in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Our work will establish a model for studying the biochemical molecular regulation mechanism and signal transduction pathway of cell senescence in liver tissue engineering, which provide a molecular basis for developing biomaterials for liver tissue engineering.

Microfluidics for Antibiotic Susceptibility and Toxicity Testing

The recent emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a major concern for worldwide policy makers as very few new antibiotics have been developed in the last twenty-five years. To prevent the death of millions of people worldwide, there is an urgent need for a cheap, fast and accurate set of tools and techniques that can help to discover and develop new antimicrobial drugs. In the past decade, microfluidic platforms have emerged as potential systems for conducting pharmacological studies. Recent studies have demonstrated that microfluidic platforms can perform rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests to evaluate antimicrobial drugs’ efficacy. In addition, the development of cell-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip platforms have enabled the early drug testing, providing more accurate insights into conventional cell cultures on the drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity, at the early and cheaper stage of drug development, i.e., prior to animal and human testing. In this review, we focus on the recent developments of microfluidic platforms for rapid antibiotics susceptibility testing, investigating bacterial persistence and non-growing but metabolically active (NGMA) bacteria, evaluating antibiotic effectiveness on biofilms and combinatorial effect of antibiotics, as well as microfluidic platforms that can be used for in vitro antibiotic toxicity testing.

Evaluating Biomaterial- and Microfluidic-Based 3D Tumor Models

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a disease burden estimated to increase over the coming decades. Disease heterogeneity and limited information on cancer biology and disease mechanisms are aspects that 2D cell cultures fail to address. Here, we review the current ‘state-of-the-art’ in 3D tissue-engineering (TE) models developed for, and used in, cancer research. We assess the potential for scaffold-based TE models and microfluidics to fill the gap between 2D models and clinical application. We also discuss recent advances in combining the principles of 3D TE models and microfluidics, with a special focus on biomaterials and the most promising chip-based 3D models.

Cell-microenvironment interactions and architectures in microvascular systems

In the past decade, significant advances have been made in the design and optimization of novel biomaterials and microfabrication techniques to generate vascularized tissues. Novel microfluidic systems have facilitated the development and optimization of in vitro models for exploring the complex pathophysiological phenomena that occur inside a microvascular environment. To date, most of these models have focused on engineering of increasingly complex systems, rather than analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive microvascular network morphogenesis and remodeling. In fact, mutual interactions among endothelial cells (ECs), supporting mural cells and organ-specific cells, as well as between ECs and the extracellular matrix, are key driving forces for vascularization. This review focuses on the integration of materials science, microengineering and vascular biology for the development of in vitro microvascular systems. Various approaches currently being applied to study cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions, as well as biochemical/biophysical cues promoting vascularization and their impact on microvascular network formation, will be identified and discussed. Finally, this review will explore in vitro applications of microvascular systems, in vivo integration of transplanted vascularized tissues, and the important challenges for vascularization and controlling the microcirculatory system within the engineered tissues, especially for microfabrication approaches. It is likely that existing models and more complex models will further our understanding of the key elements of vascular network growth, stabilization and remodeling to translate basic research principles into functional, vascularized tissue constructs for regenerative medicine applications, drug screening and disease models.

Engineered Biomaterials to Enhance Stem Cell-Based Cardiac Tissue Engineering and Therapy

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Since adult cardiac cells are limited in their proliferation, cardiac tissue with dead or damaged cardiac cells downstream of the occluded vessel does not regenerate after myocardial infarction. The cardiac tissue is then replaced with nonfunctional fibrotic scar tissue rather than new cardiac cells, which leaves the heart weak. The limited proliferation ability of host cardiac cells has motivated investigators to research the potential cardiac regenerative ability of stem cells. Considerable progress has been made in this endeavor. However, the optimum type of stem cells along with the most suitable matrix-material and cellular microenvironmental cues are yet to be identified or agreed upon. This review presents an overview of various types of biofunctional materials and biomaterial matrices, which in combination with stem cells, have shown promises for cardiac tissue replacement and reinforcement. Engineered biomaterials also have applications in cardiac tissue engineering, in which tissue constructs are developed in vitro by combining stem cells and biomaterial scaffolds for drug screening or eventual implantation. This review highlights the benefits of using biomaterials in conjunction with stem cells to repair damaged myocardium and give a brief description of the properties of these biomaterials that make them such valuable tools to the field.

3D-printed fluidic networks as vasculature for engineered tissue

Fabrication of vascular networks within engineered tissue remains one of the greatest challenges facing the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering. Historically, the structural complexity of vascular networks has limited their fabrication in tissues engineered in vitro. Recently, however, key advances have been made in constructing fluidic networks within biomaterials, suggesting a strategy for fabricating the architecture of the vasculature. These techniques build on emerging technologies within the microfluidics community as well as on 3D printing. The freeform fabrication capabilities of 3D printing are allowing investigators to fabricate fluidic networks with complex architecture inside biomaterial matrices. In this review, we examine the most exciting 3D printing-based techniques in this area. We also discuss opportunities for using these techniques to address open questions in vascular biology and biophysics, as well as for engineering therapeutic tissue substitutes in vitro.

Three-dimensional perfused tumour spheroid model for anti-cancer drug screening

Objective

To build an in vitro-perfused, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid model based on the TissueFlex system for anti-cancer drug efficacy testing in order to mimic avascular micro-tissues with inherent O₂, nutrient and metabolite gradients, and to provide a more accurate prediction of drug toxicity and efficacy than traditional in vitro tumour models in conventional static culture well plates.

Results

The perfused cancer spheroid model showed higher cell viability and increased diameter of spheroids over a relatively long culture period (17 days). Three anti-cancer drugs with different cytotoxic mechanisms were tested. In perfusion, lower cytotoxicity was observed for traditional cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil and microtubule-interfering, paclitaxel, showed greater interruption of spheroid integrity. For the hypoxic-dependent drug, tirapazamine, there was no significant difference observed between static and perfusion cultures.

Conclusion

The perfusion culture provides a better homeostasis for cancer cell growth in a more controllable working platform for long-term drug testing.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10529-016-2035-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Microtechnology-based organ systems and whole-body models for drug screening

After drug administration, the drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (ADME). Because ADME processes affect drug efficacy, various in vitro models have been developed based on the ADME processes. Although these models have been widely accepted as a tool for predicting the effects of drugs, the differences between in vivo and in vitro systems result in high attrition rates of drugs during the development process and remain a major limitation. Recent advances in microtechnology enable more accurate mimicking of the in vivo environment, where cellular behavior and physiological responses to drugs are more realistic; this has led to the development of novel in vitro systems, known as "organ-on-a-chip" systems. The development of organ-on-a-chip systems has progressed to include the reproduction of multiple organ interactions, which is an important step towards "body-on-a-chip" systems that will ultimately predict whole-body responses to drugs. In this review, we summarize the application of microtechnology for the development of in vitro systems that accurately mimic in vivo environments and reconstruct multiple organ models.

Microfluidic platform for photodynamic therapy cytotoxicity analysis of nanoencapsulated indocyanine-type photosensitizers

The application of nanotechnology is important to improve research and development of alternative anticancer therapies. In order to accelerate research related to cancer diagnosis and to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, various nanomaterials are being tested. The main objective of this work was basic research focused on examination of the mechanism and effectiveness of the introduction of nanoencapsulated photosensitizers to human carcinoma (A549) and normal cells (MRC-5). Newly encapsulated hydrophobic indocyanine-type photosensitizer (i.e., IR-780) was subjected to in vitro studies to determine its release characteristics on a molecular level. The photosensitizers were delivered to carcinoma and normal cells cultured under model conditions using multiwell plates and with the use of the specially designed hybrid (poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/glass) microfluidic system. The specific geometry of our microsystem allows for the examination of intercellular interactions between cells cultured in the microchambers connected with microchannels of precisely defined length. Our microsystem allows investigating various therapeutic procedures (e.g., photodynamic therapy) on monoculture, coculture, and mixed culture, simultaneously, which is very difficult to perform using standard multiwell plates. In addition, we tested the cellular internalization of nanoparticles (differing in size, surface properties) in carcinoma and normal lung cells. We proved that cellular uptake of nanocapsules loaded with cyanine IR-780 in carcinoma cells was more significant than in normal cells. We demonstrated non cytotoxic effect of newly synthesized nanocapsules built with polyelectrolytes (PEs) of opposite surface charges: polyanion-polysodium-4-styrenesulphonate and polycation-poly(diallyldimethyl-ammonium) chloride loaded with cyanine IR-780 on human lung carcinoma and normal cell lines. However, the differences observed in the photocytotoxic effect between two types of tested nanocapsules can result from the type of last PE layer and their different surface charge.

Development of a pneumatically driven active cover lid for multi-well microplates for use in perfusion three-dimensional cell culture

Before microfluidic-based cell culture models can be practically utilized for bioassays, there is a need for a transitional cell culture technique that can improve conventional cell culture models. To address this, a hybrid cell culture system integrating an active cover lid and a multi-well microplate was proposed to achieve perfusion 3-D cell culture. In this system, a microfluidic-based pneumatically-driven liquid transport mechanism was integrated into the active cover lid to realize 6-unit culture medium perfusion. Experimental results revealed that the flow of culture medium could be pneumatically driven in a flow-rate uniform manner. We used the system to successfully perform a perfusion 3-D cell culture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for up to 16 days. Moreover, we investigated the effects of various cell culture models on the physiology of MSCs. The physiological nature of MSCs can vary with respect to the cell culture model used. Using the perfusion 3-D cell culture format might affect the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Overall, we have developed a cell culture system that can achieve multi-well microplate-based perfusion 3-D cell culture in an efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly manner. These features could facilitate the widespread application of perfusion cell culture models for cell-based assays.

Development of cell metabolite analysis on microfluidic platform

Cell metabolite analysis is of great interest to analytical chemists and physiologists, with some metabolites having been identified as important indicators of major diseases such as cancer. A high-throughput and sensitive method for drug metabolite analysis will largely promote the drug discovery industry. The basic barrier of metabolite analysis comes from the interference of complex components in cell biological system and low abundance of target substances. As a powerful tool in biosample analysis, microfluidic chip enhances the sensitivity and throughput by integrating multiple functional units into one chip. In this review, we discussed three critical steps of establishing functional microfluidic platform for cellular metabolism study. Cell in vitro culture model, on chip sample pretreatment, and microchip combined detectors were described in details and demonstrated by works in five years. And a brief summary was given to discuss the advantages as well as challenges of applying microchip method in cell metabolite and biosample analysis.

Organs-on-chips at the frontiers of drug discovery

Improving the effectiveness of preclinical predictions of human drug responses is critical to reducing costly failures in clinical trials. Recent advances in cell biology, microfabrication and microfluidics have enabled the development of microengineered models of the functional units of human organs - known as organs-on-chips - that could provide the basis for preclinical assays with greater predictive power. Here, we examine the new opportunities for the application of organ-on-chip technologies in a range of areas in preclinical drug discovery, such as target identification and validation, target-based screening, and phenotypic screening. We also discuss emerging drug discovery opportunities enabled by organs-on-chips, as well as important challenges in realizing the full potential of this technology.

Activated-ester-type photocleavable crosslinker for preparation of photodegradable hydrogels using a two-component mixing reaction

Photodegradable hydrogels have emerged as powerful platforms for studying and directing cellular behavior in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Photodegradable hydrogels have previously been formed by free radical polymerizations, Michael-type addition reactions, and orthogonal click reactions. Here, an ester-activated photocleavable crosslinker is presented for preparing photodegradable hydrogels by means of a one-step mixing reaction between the crosslinker and a biocompatible polymer containing amino moieties (amino-terminated tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) or gelatin). It is demonstrated that photodegradable hydrogels micropatterned by photolithography can be used to culture cells with high viability and proliferation rates. The resulting micropatterned cell-laden structures can potentially be used to create 3D biomaterials for various tissue-engineering applications.

Microfluidic model of angiogenic sprouting

Microfluidic systems have emerged as an important technology for modeling cellular microenvironments in vitro. These systems enable unprecedented levels of control of chemical gradients, fluid flow, and localized 3-D extracellular matrices (ECM), all of which can be integrated to provide a physiologically relevant context for studying complex cellular processes such as angiogenesis. Here, we describe the design and use of microfluidic systems for reproducing the dynamic events of vascular morphogenesis.

Biomimetic cardiac microsystems for pathophysiological studies and drug screens

Microfabricated organs-on-chips consist of tissue-engineered 3D in vitro models, which rely on engineering design and provide the physiological context of human organs. Recently, significant effort has been devoted to the creation of a biomimetic cardiac system by using microfabrication techniques. By applying allometric scaling laws, microengineered cardiac systems simulating arterial flow, pulse properties, and architectural environments have been implemented, allowing high-throughput pathophysiological experiments and drug screens. In this review, we illustrate the recent trends in cardiac microsystems with emphasis on cardiac pumping and valving functions. We report problems and solutions brought to light by existing organs-on-chip models and discuss future directions of the field. We also describe the needs and desired design features that will enable the control of mechanical, electrical, and chemical environments to generate functional in vitro cardiac disease models.

An on-chip small intestine-liver model for pharmacokinetic studies

Testing of drug effects and cytotoxicity by using cultured cells has been widely performed as an alternative to animal testing. However, the estimation of pharmacokinetics by conventional cell-based assay methods is difficult because of the inability to evaluate multiorgan effects. An important challenge in the field is to mimic the organ-to-organ network in the human body by using a microfluidic network connecting small-scale tissues based on recently emerging MicroTAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems) technology for prediction of pharmacokinetics. Here, we describe an on-chip small intestine-liver coupled model for pharmacokinetic studies. To construct an in vitro pharmacokinetic model that appropriately models in vivo conditions, physiological parameters such as the structure of internal circulation, volume ratios of each organ, and blood flow ratio of the portal vein to the hepatic artery were mimicked using microfluidic networks. To demonstrate interactions between organs in vitro in pharmacokinetic studies, Caco-2, HepG2, and A549 cell cultures were used as organ models of the small intestine, liver, and lung, respectively, and connected to each other through a microporous membrane and microchannels to prepare a simple model of a physiological organ-to-organ network. The on-chip organ model assay using three types of substrate-epirubicine (EPI), irinotecan (CPT-11), and cyclophosphamide (CPA)-were conducted to model the effects of orally administered or biologically active anticancer drugs. The result suggested that the device can replicate physiological phenomena such as activity of the anticancer drugs on the target cells. This microfluidic device can thus be used as an in vitro organ model to predict the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the human body and may thus provide not only an alternative to animal testing but also a method of obtaining parameters for in silico models of physiologically based pharmacokinetics.

A novel modular bioreactor to in vitro study the hepatic sinusoid

We describe a unique, versatile bioreactor consisting of two plates and a modified commercial porous membrane suitable for in vitro analysis of the liver sinusoid. The modular bioreactor allows i) excellent control of the cell seeding process; ii) cell culture under controlled shear stress stimulus, and; iii) individual analysis of each cell type upon completion of the experiment. The advantages of the bioreactor detailed here are derived from the modification of a commercial porous membrane with an elastomeric wall specifically moulded in order to define the cell culture area, to act as a gasket that will fit into the bioreactor, and to provide improved mechanical robustness. The device presented herein has been designed to simulate the in vivo organization of a liver sinusoid and tested by co-culturing endothelial cells (EC) and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The results show both an optimal morphology of the endothelial cells as well as an improvement in the phenotype of stellate cells, most probably due to paracrine factors released from endothelial cells. This device is proposed as a versatile, easy-to-use co-culture system that can be applied to biomedical research of vascular systems, including the liver.

A microfluidic co-culture system to monitor tumor-stromal interactions on a chip

The living cells are arranged in a complex natural environment wherein they interact with extracellular matrix and other neighboring cells. Cell-cell interactions, especially those between distinct phenotypes, have attracted particular interest due to the significant physiological relevance they can reveal for both fundamental and applied biomedical research. To study cell-cell interactions, it is necessary to develop co-culture systems, where different cell types can be cultured within the same confined space. Although the current advancement in lab-on-a-chip technology has allowed the creation of in vitro models to mimic the complexity of in vivo environment, it is still rather challenging to create such co-culture systems for easy control of different colonies of cells. In this paper, we have demonstrated a straightforward method for the development of an on-chip co-culture system. It involves a series of steps to selectively change the surface property for discriminative cell seeding and to induce cellular interaction in a co-culture region. Bone marrow stromal cells (HS5) and a liver tumor cell line (HuH7) have been used to demonstrate this co-culture model. The cell migration and cellular interaction have been analyzed using microscopy and biochemical assays. This co-culture system could be used as a disease model to obtain biological insight of pathological progression, as well as a tool to evaluate the efficacy of different drugs for pharmaceutical studies.

Integration of microfluidics into the synthetic biology design flow

One goal of synthetic biology is to design and build genetic circuits in living cells for a range of applications. Major challenges in these efforts include increasing the scalability and robustness of engineered biological systems and streamlining and automating the synthetic biology workflow of specification-design-assembly-verification. We present here a summary of the advances in microfluidic technology, particularly microfluidic large scale integration, that can be used to address the challenges facing each step of the synthetic biology workflow. Microfluidic technologies allow precise control over the flow of biological content within microscale devices, and thus may provide more reliable and scalable construction of synthetic biological systems. The integration of microfluidics and synthetic biology has the capability to produce rapid prototyping platforms for characterization of genetic devices, testing of biotherapeutics, and development of biosensors.

Microfluidic perfusion culture

Microfluidic perfusion culture is a novel technique to culture animal cells in a small-scale microchamber with medium perfusion. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most popular material to fabricate a microfluidic perfusion culture chip. Photolithography and replica molding techniques are generally used for fabrication of a microfluidic perfusion culture chip. Pressure-driven perfusion culture system is convenient technique to carry out the perfusion culture of animal cells in a microfluidic device. Here, we describe a general theory on microfluid network design, microfabrication technique, and experimental technique for pressure-driven perfusion culture in an 8 × 8 microchamber array on a glass slide-sized microchip made out of PDMS.

Morphological behaviour and metabolic capacity of cryopreserved human primary hepatocytes cultivated in a perfused multiwell device

1. The quantitative prediction of the pharmacokinetic parameters of a drug from data obtained using human in vitro systems remains a significant challenge i.e. prediction of metabolic clearance in humans and estimation of the relative contribution of enzymes involved in the clearance. This has become particularly problematic for low turnover compounds. 2. Having human hepatocytes with stable cellular function over several days that adequately mimic the complexity of the physiological environment would be a major advance. Thus, we evaluated human hepatocytes, maintained in culture during 7 days in the microfluidic LiverChip™ system, in terms of morphological appearance, relative mRNA expression of phase I and II enzymes and transporters as a function of time, and metabolic capacity using probe substrates. 3. The results showed that mRNA levels of the major genes for enzymes involved in drug metabolism were well-maintained over a 7-day period of culture. Furthermore, after 4 days of culture, in the Liverchip™ device, human hepatocytes exhibited higher or similar CYPs activities compared to 1 day of culture in 2D-static conditions. 4. The functional data were supported by light/electron microscopies and immunohistochemistry showing viable tissue structure and well-differentiated human hepatocytes: presence of cell junctions, glycogen storage, and bile canaliculi.

Advantages and challenges of microfluidic cell culture in polydimethylsiloxane devices

Culture of cells using various microfluidic devices is becoming more common within experimental cell biology. At the same time, a technological radiation of microfluidic cell culture device designs is currently in progress. Ultimately, the utility of microfluidic cell culture will be determined by its capacity to permit new insights into cellular function. Especially insights that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain with macroscopic cell culture in traditional polystyrene dishes, flasks or well-plates. Many decades of heuristic optimization have gone into perfecting conventional cell culture devices and protocols. In comparison, even for the most commonly used microfluidic cell culture devices, such as those fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), collective understanding of the differences in cellular behavior between microfluidic and macroscopic culture is still developing. Moving in vitro culture from macroscopic culture to PDMS based devices can come with unforeseen challenges. Changes in device material, surface coating, cell number per unit surface area or per unit media volume may all affect the outcome of otherwise standard protocols. In this review, we outline some of the advantages and challenges that may accompany a transition from macroscopic to microfluidic cell culture. We focus on decisive factors that distinguish macroscopic from microfluidic cell culture to encourage a reconsideration of how macroscopic cell culture principles might apply to microfluidic cell culture.

Microfluidics for nano-pathophysiology

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems hold promise for innovative medical treatment of cancers. While drug materials are constantly under development, there are no practical cell-based models to assess whether these materials can reach the target tissue. Recently developed microfluidic systems have revolutionized cell-based experiments. In these systems, vascular endothelial cells and interstitium are set in microchannels that mimic microvessels. Drug permeability can be assayed in these blood vessel models under fluidic conditions that mimic blood flow. In this review, we describe device fabrication, disease model development, nanoparticle permeability assays, and the potential utility of these systems in the future.

The promise of organotypic hepatic and gastrointestinal models

Advances in the design and assembly of in vitro organotypic liver and gastrointestinal (GI) models can accelerate our understanding of metabolism, nutrient absorption, and the effect of microbial flora. Such models can provide comprehensive information on how of environmental toxins, drugs, and pharmaceuticals interact with and within these organs. Information obtained from such models could elucidate the complicated cascades of signaling mechanisms that occur in vivo. Because experiments on large-scale animal models are expensive and resource intensive, the design of organotypic models has renewed significance. The challenges and approaches to designing liver and GI models are similar. Because these organs are in close proximity and interact continually, we have described recent design considerations to guide future tissue models.

Biomimetic microfluidic device for in vitro antihypertensive drug evaluation

Microfluidic devices have emerged as revolutionary, novel platforms for in vitro drug evaluation. In this work, we developed a facile method for evaluating antihypertensive drugs using a microfluidic chip. This microfluidic chip was generated using the elastic material poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and a microchannel structure that simulated a blood vessel as fabricated on the chip. We then cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) inside the channel. Different pressures and shear stresses could be applied on the cells. The generated vessel mimics can be used for evaluating the safety and effects of antihypertensive drugs. Here, we used hydralazine hydrochloride as a model drug. The results indicated that hydralazine hydrochloride effectively decreased the pressure-induced dysfunction of endothelial cells. This work demonstrates that our microfluidic system provides a convenient and cost-effective platform for studying cellular responses to drugs under mechanical pressure.

A bioartificial renal tubule device embedding human renal stem/progenitor cells

We present a bio-inspired renal microdevice that resembles the in vivo structure of a kidney proximal tubule. For the first time, a population of tubular adult renal stem/progenitor cells (ARPCs) was embedded into a microsystem to create a bioengineered renal tubule. These cells have both multipotent differentiation abilities and an extraordinary capacity for injured renal cell regeneration. Therefore, ARPCs may be considered a promising tool for promoting regenerative processes in the kidney to treat acute and chronic renal injury. Here ARPCs were grown to confluence and exposed to a laminar fluid shear stress into the chip, in order to induce a functional cell polarization. Exposing ARPCs to fluid shear stress in the chip led the aquaporin-2 transporter to localize at their apical region and the Na⁺K⁺ATPase pump at their basolateral portion, in contrast to statically cultured ARPCs. A recovery of urea and creatinine of (20±5)% and (13±5)%, respectively, was obtained by the device. The microengineered biochip here-proposed might be an innovative “lab-on-a-chip” platform to investigate in vitro ARPCs behaviour or to test drugs for therapeutic and toxicological responses.

Biomaterials in tooth tissue engineering: a review

Biomaterials play a crucial role in the field of tissue engineering. They are utilized for fabricating frameworks known as scaffolds, matrices or constructs which are interconnected porous structures that establish a cellular microenvironment required for optimal tissue regeneration. Several natural and synthetic biomaterials have been utilized for fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds. Amongst different biomaterials, polymers are the most extensively experimented and employed materials. They can be tailored to provide good interconnected porosity, large surface area, adequate mechanical strengths, varying surface characterization and different geometries required for tissue regeneration. A single type of material may however not meet all the requirements. Selection of two or more biomaterials, optimization of their physical, chemical and mechanical properties and advanced fabrication techniques are required to obtain scaffold designs intended for their final application. Current focus is aimed at designing biomaterials such that they will replicate the local extra cellular environment of the native organ and enable cell-cell and cell-scaffold interactions at micro level required for functional tissue regeneration. This article provides an insight into the different biomaterials available and the emerging use of nano engineering principles for the construction of bioactive scaffolds in tooth regeneration.

All-human microphysical model of metastasis therapy

The vast majority of cancer mortalities result from distant metastases. The metastatic microenvironment provides unique protection to ectopic tumors as the primary tumors often respond to specific agents. Although significant interventional progress has been made on primary tumors, the lack of relevant accessible model in vitro systems in which to study metastases has plagued metastatic therapeutic development - particularly among micrometastases. A real-time, all-human model of metastatic seeding and cancer cells that recapitulate metastatic growth and can be probed in real time by a variety of measures and challenges would provide a critical window into the pathophysiology of metastasis and pharmacology of metastatic tumor resistance. To achieve this we are advancing our microscale bioreactor that incorporates human hepatocytes, human nonparenchymal liver cells, and human breast cancer cells to mimic the hepatic niche in three dimensions with functional tissue. This bioreactor is instrumented with oxygen sensors, micropumps capable of generating diurnally varying profiles of nutrients and hormones, while enabling real-time sampling. Since the liver is a major metastatic site for a wide variety of carcinomas and other tumors, this bioreactor uniquely allows us to more accurately recreate the human metastatic microenvironment and probe the paracrine effects between the liver parenchyma and metastatic cells. Further, as the liver is the principal site of xenobiotic metabolism, this reactor will help us investigate the chemotherapeutic response within a metabolically challenged liver microenvironment. This model is anticipated to yield markers of metastatic behavior and pharmacologic metabolism that will enable better clinical monitoring, and will guide the design of clinical studies to understand drug efficacy and safety in cancer therapeutics. This highly instrumented bioreactor format, hosting a growing tumor within a microenvironment and monitoring its responses, is readily transferable to other organs, giving this work impact beyond the liver.

Dynamic three-dimensional micropatterned cell co-cultures within photocurable and chemically degradable hydrogels

In this paper we report on the development of dynamically controlled three-dimensional (3D) micropatterned cellular co-cultures within photocurable and chemically degradable hydrogels. Specifically, we generated dynamic co-cultures of micropatterned murine embryonic stem (mES) cells with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells within 3D hydrogels. HepG2 cells were used due to their ability to direct the differentiation of mES cells through secreted paracrine factors. To generate dynamic co-cultures, mES cells were first encapsulated within micropatterned photocurable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. These micropatterned cell-laden PEG hydrogels were subsequently surrounded by calcium alginate (Ca-Alg) hydrogels containing HepG2 cells. After 4 days, the co-culture step was halted by exposing the system to sodium citrate solution, which removed the alginate gels and the encapsulated HepG2 cells. The encapsulated mES cells were then maintained in the resulting cultures for 16 days and cardiac differentiation was analysed. We observed that the mES cells that were exposed to HepG2 cells in the co-cultures generated cells with higher expression of cardiac genes and proteins, as well as increased spontaneous beating. Due to its ability to control the 3D microenvironment of cells in a spatially and temporally regulated manner, the method presented in this study is useful for a range of cell-culture applications related to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Three-dimensional perfused cell culture

Compelling evidence suggests the limitation and shortcomings of the current and well established cell culture method using multi-well plates, flasks and Petri dishes. These are particularly important when cell functions are sensitive to the local microenvironment, cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. There is a clear need for advanced cell culture systems which mimic in vivo and more physiological conditions. This review summarises and analyses recent progress in three dimensional (3D) cell culture with perfusion as the next generation cell culture tools, while excluding engineered tissue culture where three dimensional scaffold has to be used for structural support and perfusion for overcoming mass transfer control. Apart from research activities in academic community, product development in industry is also included in this review.

Scalable alignment of three-dimensional cellular constructs in a microfluidic chip

There have been considerable efforts to engineer three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic environments to enhance cellular function over conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures in microfluidic chips, but few involve topographical features, such as micro/nano-grooves, which are beneficial for cell types of cardiac, skeletal and neuronal lineages. Here we have developed a cost-effective and scalable method to incorporate micro-topographical cues into microfluidic chips to induce cell alignment. Using commercially available optical media as molds for replica molding, we produced large surface areas of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-grooved substrates and plasma-bonded them to multiple microfluidic chips. Besides aligning a 2D monolayer of cells, the micro-grooved substrate can align 3D cellular constructs on chip. C2C12 mouse myoblasts were cultured three-dimensionally in a microfluidic chip with incorporated PDMS micro-grooved substrate remodeled into an aligned 3D cellular construct, where the actin cytoskeleton and nuclei were preferentially oriented along the micro-grooves. Cells within the 3D cellular constructs can align without being in direct contact with the micro-grooves due to synergism between topography and fluid shear stress. Aligned C2C12 3D cellular constructs showed enhanced differentiation into skeletal muscles as compared to randomly aligned ones. This novel method enables the routine inclusion of micro-topographical cues into 2D or 3D microfluidic cultures to generate relevant physiological models for studying tissue morphogenesis and drug screening applications.