1
|
Stiefbold M, Zhang H, Wan LQ. Engineered platforms for mimicking cardiac development and drug screening. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:197. [PMID: 38664263 PMCID: PMC11045633 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05231-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects are associated with significant health challenges, demanding a deep understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms and, thus, better devices or platforms that can recapitulate human cardiac development. The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells has substantially reduced the dependence on animal models. Recent advances in stem cell biology, genetic editing, omics, microfluidics, and sensor technologies have further enabled remarkable progress in the development of in vitro platforms with increased fidelity and efficiency. In this review, we provide an overview of advancements in in vitro cardiac development platforms, with a particular focus on technological innovation. We categorize these platforms into four areas: two-dimensional solid substrate cultures, engineered substrate architectures that enhance cellular functions, cardiac organoids, and embryos/explants-on-chip models. We conclude by addressing current limitations and presenting future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison Stiefbold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Haokang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Leo Q Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biotech 2147, 110 8t Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Broccoli A, Vollertsen AR, Roels P, van Vugt A, van den Berg A, Odijk M. Nanoparticle Printing for Microfluidic Applications: Bipolar Electrochemistry and Localized Raman Sensing Spots. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:453. [PMID: 36838154 PMCID: PMC9967861 DOI: 10.3390/mi14020453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The local integration of metal nanoparticle films on 3D-structured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices is of high importance for applications including electronics, electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, and localized Raman sensing. Conventional processes to locally deposit and pattern metal nanoparticles require multiple steps and shadow masks, or access to cleanroom facilities, and therefore, are relatively imprecise, or time and cost-ineffective. As an alternative, we present an aerosol-based direct-write method, in which patterns of nanoparticles generated via spark ablation are locally printed with sub-mm size and precision inside of microfluidic structures without the use of lithography or other masking methods. As proof of principle, films of Pt or Ag nanoparticles were printed in the chambers of a multiplexed microfluidic device and successfully used for two different applications: Screening electrochemical activity in a high-throughput fashion, and localized sensing of chemicals via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The versatility of the approach will enable the generation of functional microfluidic devices for applications that include sensing, high-throughput screening platforms, and microreactors using catalytically driven chemical conversions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Broccoli
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anke R. Vollertsen
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Odijk
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Compera N, Atwell S, Wirth J, von Törne C, Hauck SM, Meier M. Adipose microtissue-on-chip: a 3D cell culture platform for differentiation, stimulation, and proteomic analysis of human adipocytes. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3172-3186. [PMID: 35875914 PMCID: PMC9400584 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00245k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Human fat tissue has evolved to serve as a major energy reserve. An imbalance between energy intake and expenditure leads to an expansion of adipose tissue. Maintenance of this energy imbalance over long periods leads to obesity and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, for which a clinical cure is not yet available. In this study, we developed a microfluidic large-scale integration chip platform to automate the formation, long-term culture, and retrieval of 3D adipose microtissues to enable longitudinal studies of adipose tissue in vitro. The chip was produced from soft-lithography molds generated by 3D-printing, which allowed scaling of pneumatic membrane valves for parallel fluid routing and thus incorporated microchannels with variable dimensions to handle 3D cell cultures with diameters of several hundred micrometers. In 32 individual fluidically accessible cell culture chambers, designed to enable the self-aggregation process of three microtissues, human adipose stem cells differentiated into mature adipocytes over a period of two weeks. Coupling mass spectrometry to the cell culture platform, we determined the minimum cell numbers required to obtain robust and complex proteomes with over 1800 identified proteins. The adipose microtissues on the chip platform were then used to periodically simulate food intake by alternating the glucose level in the cell-feeding media every 6 h over the course of one week. The proteomes of adipocytes under low/high glucose conditions exhibited unique protein profiles, confirming the technical functionality and applicability of the chip platform. Thus, our adipose tissue-on-chip in vitro model may prove useful for elucidating the molecular and functional mechanisms of adipose tissue in normal and pathological conditions, such as obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Compera
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Scott Atwell
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Johannes Wirth
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Christine von Törne
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Meier
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
- TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Application of CFD Numerical Simulation Image Imaging Technology in the Study of Droplet Microfluidic Multiphase Flow Characteristics. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:5851658. [PMID: 35833059 PMCID: PMC9252693 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5851658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to study the problem that the flow in the internal channel of the microfluidic chip is different from that of the macroscopic system by the FD numerical simulation image imaging technology. Taking the liquid-liquid extraction of microfluidic chip as the research object, this paper analyzes the theoretical basis, working principle, structural parameters, and the influence of working parameters on the fluid flow of liquid-liquid extraction. The results are as follows: when the inlet velocity of flowing liquid is 10^(-5) m/s, the diffusion efficiency can still be maintained at 95%; the double ψ-type aqueous phase showed laminar flow, the two-phase contact interface increased compared with the bottom flow rate, and the extraction efficiency increased to 98%; the extraction efficiency of double ψ type is higher than that of double Y-type: when the flow velocity ratio increases from v aq : v oil=1 : 2 to v aq : v oil=5 : 1, the extraction efficiency increases to 99.8%; the experimental extraction efficiency is compared with the diffusion efficiency simulated by simulation. The diffusion efficiency of the cross type is 1.05 times that of the extraction efficiency, and that of the cylindrical type is 1.04 times that of the extraction efficiency. In this study, CFD is used to simulate the characteristics of droplet microfluidic multiphase flow, which enriches the theoretical method and research experience of liquid-liquid laminar flow.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bossink EGBM, Vollertsen AR, Loessberg-Zahl JT, van der Meer AD, Segerink LI, Odijk M. Systematic characterization of cleanroom-free fabricated macrovalves, demonstrating pumps and mixers for automated fluid handling tuned for organ-on-chip applications. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2022; 8:54. [PMID: 35615464 PMCID: PMC9124669 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-022-00378-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Integrated valves enable automated control in microfluidic systems, as they can be applied for mixing, pumping and compartmentalization purposes. Such automation would be highly valuable for applications in organ-on-chip (OoC) systems. However, OoC systems typically have channel dimensions in the range of hundreds of micrometers, which is an order of magnitude larger than those of typical microfluidic valves. The most-used fabrication process for integrated, normally open polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) valves requires a reflow photoresist that limits the achievable channel height. In addition, the low stroke volumes of these valves make it challenging to achieve flow rates of microliters per minute, which are typically required in OoC systems. Herein, we present a mechanical 'macrovalve' fabricated by multilayer soft lithography using micromilled direct molds. We demonstrate that these valves can close off rounded channels of up to 700 µm high and 1000 µm wide. Furthermore, we used these macrovalves to create a peristaltic pump with a pumping rate of up to 48 µL/min and a mixing and metering device that can achieve the complete mixing of a volume of 6.4 µL within only 17 s. An initial cell culture experiment demonstrated that a device with integrated macrovalves is biocompatible and allows the cell culture of endothelial cells over multiple days under continuous perfusion and automated medium refreshment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsbeth G. B. M. Bossink
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+Institute, Technical Medical Center, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anke R. Vollertsen
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+Institute, Technical Medical Center, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies Group, Technical Medical Center, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua T. Loessberg-Zahl
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+Institute, Technical Medical Center, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Andries D. van der Meer
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies Group, Technical Medical Center, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Loes I. Segerink
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+Institute, Technical Medical Center, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Odijk
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+Institute, Technical Medical Center, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vollertsen AR, Vivas A, van Meer B, van den Berg A, Odijk M, van der Meer AD. Facilitating implementation of organs-on-chips by open platform technology. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:051301. [PMID: 34659603 PMCID: PMC8514251 DOI: 10.1063/5.0063428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-chip (OoC) and multi-organs-on-chip (MOoC) systems have the potential to play an important role in drug discovery, disease modeling, and personalized medicine. However, most devices developed in academic labs remain at a proof-of-concept level and do not yet offer the ease-of-use, manufacturability, and throughput that are needed for widespread application. Commercially available OoC are easier to use but often lack the level of complexity of the latest devices in academia. Furthermore, researchers who want to combine different chips into MOoC systems are limited to one supplier, since commercial systems are not compatible with each other. Given these limitations, the implementation of standards in the design and operation of OoCs would strongly facilitate their acceptance by users. Importantly, the implementation of such standards must be carried out by many participants from both industry and academia to ensure a widespread acceptance and adoption. This means that standards must also leave room for proprietary technology development next to promoting interchangeability. An open platform with standardized interfacing and user-friendly operation can fulfill these requirements. In this Perspective article, the concept of an open platform for OoCs is defined from a technical perspective. Moreover, we discuss the importance of involving different stakeholders in the development, manufacturing, and application of such an open platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Odijk
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|