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Shebindu A, Kaveti D, Umutoni L, Kirk G, Burton MD, Jones CN. A programmable microfluidic platform to monitor calcium dynamics in microglia during inflammation. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:106. [PMID: 39101003 PMCID: PMC11294448 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00733-1] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is characterized by the elevation of cytokines and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which in turn activates microglia. These immunoregulatory molecules typically form gradients in vivo, which significantly influence microglial behaviors such as increasing calcium signaling, migration, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion. Quantifying microglial calcium signaling in the context of inflammation holds the potential for developing precise therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases. However, the current calcium imaging systems are technically challenging to operate, necessitate large volumes of expensive reagents and cells, and model immunoregulatory molecules as uniform concentrations, failing to accurately replicate the in vivo microenvironment. In this study, we introduce a novel calcium monitoring micro-total analysis system (CAM-μTAS) designed to quantify calcium dynamics in microglia (BV2 cells) within defined cytokine gradients. Leveraging programmable pneumatically actuated lifting gate microvalve arrays and a Quake valve, CAM-μTAS delivers cytokine gradients to microglia, mimicking neuroinflammation. Our device automates sample handling and cell culture, enabling rapid media changes in just 1.5 s, thus streamlining the experimental workflow. By analyzing BV2 calcium transient latency to peak, we demonstrate location-dependent microglial activation patterns based on cytokine and ATP gradients, offering insights contrasting those of non-gradient-based perfusion systems. By harnessing advancements in microsystem technology to quantify calcium dynamics, we can construct simplified human models of neurological disorders, unravel the intricate mechanisms of cell-cell signaling, and conduct robust evaluations of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Shebindu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Durga Kaveti
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Linda Umutoni
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Gia Kirk
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Michael D. Burton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Caroline N. Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
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2
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Bathrinarayanan PV, Hallam SM, Grover LM, Vigolo D, Simmons MJH. Microfluidics as a Powerful Tool to Investigate Microvascular Dysfunction in Trauma Conditions: A Review of the State-of-the-Art. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400037. [PMID: 39031943 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle trauma such as fracture or crush injury can result in a life-threatening condition called acute compartment syndrome (ACS), which involves elevated compartmental pressure within a closed osteo-fascial compartment, leading to collapse of the microvasculature and resulting in necrosis of the tissue due to ischemia. Diagnosis of ACS is complex and controversial due to the lack of standardized objective methods, which results in high rates of misdiagnosis/late diagnosis, leading to permanent neuro-muscular damage. ACS pathophysiology is poorly understood at a cellular level due to the lack of physiologically relevant models. In this context, microfluidics organ-on-chip systems (OOCs) provide an exciting opportunity to investigate the cellular mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction that leads to ACS. In this article, the state-of-the-art OOCs designs and strategies used to investigate microvasculature dysfunction mechanisms is reviewed. The differential effects of hemodynamic shear stress on endothelial cell characteristics such as morphology, permeability, and inflammation, all of which are altered during microvascular dysfunction is highlighted. The article then critically reviews the importance of microfluidics to investigate closely related microvascular pathologies that cause ACS. The article concludes by discussing potential biomarkers of ACS with a special emphasis on glycocalyx and providing a future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vasanthi Bathrinarayanan
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B152TT, UK
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - S M Hallam
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B152TT, UK
| | - L M Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B152TT, UK
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - D Vigolo
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B152TT, UK
- The University of Sydney, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - M J H Simmons
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B152TT, UK
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3
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Dvorak N, Liu Z, Mouthuy PA. Soft bioreactor systems: a necessary step toward engineered MSK soft tissue? Front Robot AI 2024; 11:1287446. [PMID: 38711813 PMCID: PMC11070535 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1287446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
A key objective of tissue engineering (TE) is to produce in vitro funcional grafts that can replace damaged tissues or organs in patients. TE uses bioreactors, which are controlled environments, allowing the application of physical and biochemical cues to relevant cells growing in biomaterials. For soft musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage, it is now well established that applied mechanical stresses can be incorporated into those bioreactor systems to support tissue growth and maturation via activation of mechanotransduction pathways. However, mechanical stresses applied in the laboratory are often oversimplified compared to those found physiologically and may be a factor in the slow progression of engineered MSK grafts towards the clinic. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the application of complex loading conditions, applying stresses of different types and direction on tissue constructs, in order to better mimic the cellular environment experienced in vivo. Such studies have highlighted the need to improve upon traditional rigid bioreactors, which are often limited to uniaxial loading, to apply physiologically relevant multiaxial stresses and elucidate their influence on tissue maturation. To address this need, soft bioreactors have emerged. They employ one or more soft components, such as flexible soft chambers that can twist and bend with actuation, soft compliant actuators that can bend with the construct, and soft sensors which record measurements in situ. This review examines types of traditional rigid bioreactors and their shortcomings, and highlights recent advances of soft bioreactors in MSK TE. Challenges and future applications of such systems are discussed, drawing attention to the exciting prospect of these platforms and their ability to aid development of functional soft tissue engineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pierre-Alexis Mouthuy
- Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Yu Z, Chen Y, Li J, Chen C, Lu H, Chen S, Zhang T, Guo T, Zhu Y, Jin J, Yan S, Chen H. A tempo-spatial controllable microfluidic shear-stress generator for in-vitro mimicking of the thrombus. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:187. [PMID: 38632623 PMCID: PMC11022418 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02334-6] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathological conditions linked to shear stress have been identified in hematological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. These conditions often exhibit significantly elevated shear stress levels, surpassing 1000 dyn/cm2 in severely stenotic arteries. Heightened shear stress can induce mechanical harm to endothelial cells, potentially leading to bleeding and fatal consequences. However, current technology still grapples with limitations, including inadequate flexibility in simulating bodily shear stress environments, limited range of shear stress generation, and spatial and temporal adaptability. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impact of shear stress on physiological and pathological conditions, like thrombosis, remains inadequate. To address these limitations, this study presents a microfluidic-based shear stress generation chip as a proposed solution. The chip achieves a substantial 929-fold variation in shear stress solely by adjusting the degree of constriction in branch channels after PDMS fabrication. Experiments demonstrated that a rapid increase in shear stress up to 1000 dyn/cm2 significantly detached 88.2% cells from the substrate. Long-term exposure (24 h) to shear stress levels below 8.3 dyn/cm2 did not significantly impact cell growth. Furthermore, cells exposed to shear stress levels equal to or greater than 8.3 dyn/cm2 exhibited significant alterations in aspect ratio and orientation, following a normal distribution. This microfluidic chip provides a reliable tool for investigating cellular responses to the wide-ranging shear stress existing in both physiological and pathological flow conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihang Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yiqun Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chang Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Huaxiu Lu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tianruo Guo
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jing Jin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Sheng Yan
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Huaying Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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Lisec B, Bozic T, Santek I, Markelc B, Vrecl M, Frangez R, Cemazar M. Characterization of two distinct immortalized endothelial cell lines, EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, for in vitro studies: exploring the impact of calcium electroporation, Ca 2+ signaling and transcriptomic profiles. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:118. [PMID: 38347539 PMCID: PMC10863159 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01503-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis after calcium electroporation (CaEP) in tumors has been shown to elicit an enhanced antitumor effect with varying impacts on healthy tissue, such as endothelium. Therefore, our study aimed to determine differences in Ca2+ kinetics and gene expression involved in the regulation of Ca2+ signaling and homeostasis, as well as effects of CaEP on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions of the established endothelial cell lines EA.hy926 and HMEC-1. METHODS CaEP was performed on EA.hy926 and HMEC-1 cells with increasing Ca2+ concentrations. Viability after CaEP was assessed using Presto Blue, while the effect on cytoskeleton and adherens junctions was evaluated via immunofluorescence staining (F-actin, α-tubulin, VE-cadherin). Differences in intracellular Ca2+ regulation ([Ca2+]i) were determined with spectrofluorometric measurements using Fura-2-AM, exposing cells to DPBS, ionomycin, thapsigargin, ATP, bradykinin, angiotensin II, acetylcholine, LaCl3, and GdCl3. Molecular distinctions were identified by analyzing differentially expressed genes and pathways related to the cytoskeleton and Ca2+ signaling through RNA sequencing. RESULTS EA.hy926 cells, at increasing Ca2+ concentrations, displayed higher CaEP susceptibility and lower survival than HMEC-1. Immunofluorescence confirmed CaEP-induced, time- and Ca2+-dependent morphological changes in EA.hy926's actin filaments, microtubules, and cell-cell junctions. Spectrofluorometric Ca2+ kinetics showed higher amplitudes in Ca2+ responses in EA.hy926 exposed to buffer, G protein coupled receptor agonists, bradykinin, and angiotensin II compared to HMEC-1. HMEC-1 exhibited significantly higher [Ca2+]i changes after ionomycin exposure, while responses to thapsigargin, ATP, and acetylcholine were similar in both cell lines. ATP without extracellular Ca2+ ions induced a significantly higher [Ca2+]i rise in EA.hy926, suggesting purinergic ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptor activation. RNA-sequencing analysis showed significant differences in cytoskeleton- and Ca2+-related gene expression, highlighting upregulation of ORAI2, TRPC1, TRPM2, CNGA3, TRPM6, and downregulation of TRPV4 and TRPC4 in EA.hy926 versus HMEC-1. Moreover, KEGG analysis showed upregulated Ca2+ import and downregulated export genes in EA.hy926. CONCLUSIONS Our finding show that significant differences in CaEP response and [Ca2+]i regulation exist between EA.hy926 and HMEC-1, which may be attributed to distinct transcriptomic profiles. EA.hy926, compared to HMEC-1, displayed higher susceptibility and sensitivity to [Ca2+]i changes, which may be linked to overexpression of Ca2+-related genes and an inability to mitigate changes in [Ca2+]i. The study offers a bioinformatic basis for selecting EC models based on research objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lisec
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Bozic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iva Santek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milka Vrecl
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Frangez
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310, Izola, Slovenia.
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6
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Kim MK, Paek K, Woo SM, Kim JA. Bone-on-a-Chip: Biomimetic Models Based on Microfluidic Technologies for Biomedical Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023. [PMID: 37183366 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing importance of preclinical evaluation of newly developed drugs or treatments, in vitro organ or disease models are necessary. Although various organ-specific on-chip (organ-on-a-chip, or OOC) systems have been developed as emerging in vitro models, bone-on-a-chip (BOC) systems that recapitulate the bone microenvironment have been less developed or reviewed compared with other OOCs. The bone is one of the most dynamic organs and undergoes continuous remodeling throughout its lifetime. The aging population is growing worldwide, and healthcare costs are rising rapidly. Since in vitro BOC models that recapitulate native bone niches and pathological features can be important for studying the underlying mechanism of orthopedic diseases and predicting drug responses in preclinical trials instead of in animals, the development of biomimetic BOCs with high efficiency and fidelity will be accelerated further. Here, we review recently engineered BOCs developed using various microfluidic technologies and investigate their use to model the bone microenvironment. We have also explored various biomimetic strategies based on biological, geometrical, and biomechanical cues for biomedical applications of BOCs. Finally, we addressed the limitations and challenging issues of current BOCs that should be overcome to obtain more acceptable BOCs in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyeong Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyurim Paek
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Mi Woo
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06973, Republic of Korea
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de Graaf MNS, Vivas A, Kasi DG, van den Hil FE, van den Berg A, van der Meer AD, Mummery CL, Orlova VV. Multiplexed fluidic circuit board for controlled perfusion of 3D blood vessels-on-a-chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 23:168-181. [PMID: 36484766 PMCID: PMC9764810 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00686c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) blood vessels-on-a-chip (VoC) models integrate the biological complexity of vessel walls with dynamic microenvironmental cues, such as wall shear stress (WSS) and circumferential strain (CS). However, these parameters are difficult to control and are often poorly reproducible due to the high intrinsic diameter variation of individual 3D-VoCs. As a result, the throughput of current 3D systems is one-channel-at-a-time. Here, we developed a fluidic circuit board (FCB) for simultaneous perfusion of up to twelve 3D-VoCs using a single set of control parameters. By designing the internal hydraulic resistances in the FCB appropriately, it was possible to provide a pre-set WSS to all connected 3D-VoCs, despite significant variation in lumen diameters. Using this FCB, we found that variation of CS or WSS induce morphological changes to human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived endothelial cells (ECs) and conclude that control of these parameters using a FCB is necessary to study 3D-VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mees N S de Graaf
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Aisen Vivas
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Dhanesh G Kasi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Francijna E van den Hil
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre, Max Planck Institute for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Applied Stem Cell Technologies, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria V Orlova
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Fluid Flow Analysis of Integrated Porous Bone Scaffold and Cancellous Bone at Different Skeletal Sites: In Silico Study. Transp Porous Media 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11242-022-01849-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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9
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Meng G, Fang F, Guo L, Liu W, Lee I, Zhao C. Calcium response of spatially arranged cell networks to shear stress by confined single cell patterned microfluidic chips. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 611:140-145. [PMID: 35489199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Osteoblasts in multicellular organisms are sensitive to fluid shear stress (Fss) and respond smartly with versatile patterns of intracellular calcium signal ([Ca2+]i). In this study, a spatial-single cell patterning method was developed by combining micro-contact printing (μCP) and reversible microfluidic chip mounted with vacuum together. Based on this well-defined patterning platform, it's possible to investigate calcium response to Fss modulated by spatial factors, and to characterize multiple calcium patterns quantitatively in terms of cell spacing and cell orientation. The result showed that the Fss-induced [Ca2+]i profiles revealed oscillational signal patterns in non-connected cells such as those in physical-contacted cells. Close-arrayed osteoblasts showed remarkably more [Ca2+]i oscillations than sparse-arrayed cells. The circular shape of the cells was sensitive to oscillational [Ca2+]i as a potential major cause. The consistency of cell orientation and shear stress promoted temporal homogeneity of calcium oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Meng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and School of Public Health, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and School of Public Health, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China
| | - Lusheng Guo
- Affiliated Hospital of Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and School of Public Health, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China
| | - Imshik Lee
- School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and School of Public Health, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, Jilin, China.
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Carvalho V, Rodrigues RO, Lima RA, Teixeira S. Computational Simulations in Advanced Microfluidic Devices: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12101149. [PMID: 34683199 PMCID: PMC8539624 DOI: 10.3390/mi12101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Numerical simulations have revolutionized research in several engineering areas by contributing to the understanding and improvement of several processes, being biomedical engineering one of them. Due to their potential, computational tools have gained visibility and have been increasingly used by several research groups as a supporting tool for the development of preclinical platforms as they allow studying, in a more detailed and faster way, phenomena that are difficult to study experimentally due to the complexity of biological processes present in these models—namely, heat transfer, shear stresses, diffusion processes, velocity fields, etc. There are several contributions already in the literature, and significant advances have been made in this field of research. This review provides the most recent progress in numerical studies on advanced microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices, and how these studies can be helpful in enhancing our insight into the physical processes involved and in developing more effective OoC platforms. In general, it has been noticed that in some cases, the numerical studies performed have limitations that need to be improved, and in the majority of the studies, it is extremely difficult to replicate the data due to the lack of detail around the simulations carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Carvalho
- MEtRICs, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ALGORITMI, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
- Correspondence:
| | - Raquel O. Rodrigues
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
| | - Rui A. Lima
- MEtRICs, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
- CEFT, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Senhorinha Teixeira
- ALGORITMI, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
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11
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A versatile microfluidic tool for the 3D culture of HepaRG cells seeded at various stages of differentiation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14075. [PMID: 34234159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of livers-on-a-chip aims to provide pharmaceutical companies with reliable systems to perform drug screening and toxicological studies. To that end, microfluidic systems are engineered to mimic the functions and architecture of this organ. In this context we have designed a device that reproduces series of liver microarchitectures, each permitting the 3D culture of hepatocytes by confining them to a chamber that is separated from the medium conveying channel by very thin slits. We modified the structure to ensure its compatibility with the culture of hepatocytes from different sources. Our device was adapted to the migratory and adhesion properties of the human HepaRG cell line at various stages of differentiation. Using this device, it was possible to keep the cells alive for more than 14 days, during which they achieved a 3D organisation and acquired or maintained their differentiation into hepatocytes. Albumin secretion as well as functional bile canaliculi were confirmed on the liver-on-a-chip. Finally, an acetaminophen toxicological assay was performed. With its multiple micro-chambers for hepatocyte culture, this microfluidic device architecture offers a promising opportunity to provide new tools for drug screening applications.
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12
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Yang L, Pijuan-Galito S, Rho HS, Vasilevich AS, Eren AD, Ge L, Habibović P, Alexander MR, de Boer J, Carlier A, van Rijn P, Zhou Q. High-Throughput Methods in the Discovery and Study of Biomaterials and Materiobiology. Chem Rev 2021; 121:4561-4677. [PMID: 33705116 PMCID: PMC8154331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The complex interaction of cells with biomaterials (i.e., materiobiology) plays an increasingly pivotal role in the development of novel implants, biomedical devices, and tissue engineering scaffolds to treat diseases, aid in the restoration of bodily functions, construct healthy tissues, or regenerate diseased ones. However, the conventional approaches are incapable of screening the huge amount of potential material parameter combinations to identify the optimal cell responses and involve a combination of serendipity and many series of trial-and-error experiments. For advanced tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, highly efficient and complex bioanalysis platforms are expected to explore the complex interaction of cells with biomaterials using combinatorial approaches that offer desired complex microenvironments during healing, development, and homeostasis. In this review, we first introduce materiobiology and its high-throughput screening (HTS). Then we present an in-depth of the recent progress of 2D/3D HTS platforms (i.e., gradient and microarray) in the principle, preparation, screening for materiobiology, and combination with other advanced technologies. The Compendium for Biomaterial Transcriptomics and high content imaging, computational simulations, and their translation toward commercial and clinical uses are highlighted. In the final section, current challenges and future perspectives are discussed. High-throughput experimentation within the field of materiobiology enables the elucidation of the relationships between biomaterial properties and biological behavior and thereby serves as a potential tool for accelerating the development of high-performance biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Yang
- University
of Groningen, W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and
Materials Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Pijuan-Galito
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University
of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Hoon Suk Rho
- Department
of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired
Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aliaksei S. Vasilevich
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University
of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Aysegul Dede Eren
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University
of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Lu Ge
- University
of Groningen, W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and
Materials Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pamela Habibović
- Department
of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired
Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Morgan R. Alexander
- School
of Pharmacy, Boots Science Building, University
of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Jan de Boer
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University
of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department
of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired
Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick van Rijn
- University
of Groningen, W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and
Materials Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Qihui Zhou
- Institute
for Translational Medicine, Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated
Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao
University, Qingdao 266003, China
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13
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Modeling of Endothelial Calcium Responses within a Microfluidic Generator of Spatio-Temporal ATP and Shear Stress Signals. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12020161. [PMID: 33562260 PMCID: PMC7914997 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular calcium dynamics play essential roles in the proper functioning of cellular activities. It is a well known important chemosensing and mechanosensing process regulated by the spatio-temporal microenvironment. Nevertheless, how spatio-temporal biochemical and biomechanical stimuli affect calcium dynamics is not fully understood and the underlying regulation mechanism remains missing. Herein, based on a developed microfluidic generator of biochemical and biomechanical signals, we theoretically analyzed the generation of spatio-temporal ATP and shear stress signals within the microfluidic platform and investigated the effect of spatial combination of ATP and shear stress stimuli on the intracellular calcium dynamics. The simulation results demonstrate the capacity and flexibility of the microfluidic system in generating spatio-temporal ATP and shear stress. Along the transverse direction of the microchannel, dynamic ATP signals of distinct amplitudes coupled with identical shear stress are created, which induce the spatio-temporal diversity in calcium responses. Interestingly, to the multiple combinations of stimuli, the intracellular calcium dynamics reveal two main modes: unimodal and oscillatory modes, showing significant dependence on the features of the spatio-temporal ATP and shear stress stimuli. The present study provides essential information for controlling calcium dynamics by regulating spatio-temporal biochemical and biomechanical stimuli, which shows the potential in directing cellular activities and understanding the occurrence and development of disease.
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14
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Dash SK, Sharma V, Verma RS, Das SK. Low intermittent flow promotes rat mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in logarithmic fluid shear device. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:054107. [PMID: 33163135 PMCID: PMC7595746 DOI: 10.1063/5.0024437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are an ideal candidate for bone tissue engineering due to their osteogenic potential. Along with chemical, mechanical signals such as fluid shear stress have been found to influence their differentiation characteristics. But the range of fluid shear experienced in vivo is too wide and difficult to generate in a single device. We have designed a microfluidic device that could generate four orders of shear stresses on adherent cells. This was achieved using a unique hydraulic resistance combination and linear optimization to the lesser total length of the circuit, making the device compact and yet generating four logarithmically increasing shear stresses. Numerical simulation depicts that, at an inlet velocity of 160 μl/min, our device generated shear stresses from 1.03 Pa to 1.09 mPa. In this condition, we successfully cultured primary rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in the device for a prolonged period of time in the incubator environment (four days). Higher cell proliferation rate was observed in the intermittent flow at 1.09 mPa. At 10 mPa, both upregulation of osteogenic genes and higher alkaline phosphatase activity were observed. These results suggest that the intermittent shear of the order of 10 mPa can competently enhance osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs compared to static culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanat Kumar Dash
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India
| | - Vineeta Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India
| | - Rama Shankar Verma
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India
| | - Sarit K. Das
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India
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15
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Inlet flow rate of perfusion bioreactors affects fluid flow dynamics, but not oxygen concentration in 3D-printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: Computational analysis and experimental validation. Comput Biol Med 2020; 124:103826. [PMID: 32798924 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Fluid flow dynamics and oxygen-concentration in 3D-printed scaffolds within perfusion bioreactors are sensitive to controllable bioreactor parameters such as inlet flow rate. Here we aimed to determine fluid flow dynamics, oxygen-concentration, and cell proliferation and distribution in 3D-printed scaffolds as a result of different inlet flow rates of perfusion bioreactors using experiments and finite element modeling. Pre-osteoblasts were treated with 1 h pulsating fluid flow with low (0.8 Pa; PFFlow) or high peak shear stress (6.5 Pa; PFFhigh), and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured to validate shear stress sensitivity. Computational analysis was performed to determine fluid flow between 3D-scaffold-strands at three inlet flow rates (0.02, 0.1, 0.5 ml/min) during 5 days. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast proliferation, matrix production, and oxygen-consumption in response to fluid flow in 3D-printed scaffolds inside a perfusion bioreactor were experimentally assessed. PFFhigh more strongly stimulated NO production by pre-osteoblasts than PFFlow. 3D-simulation demonstrated that dependent on inlet flow rate, fluid velocity reached a maximum (50-1200 μm/s) between scaffold-strands, and fluid shear stress (0.5-4 mPa) and wall shear stress (0.5-20 mPa) on scaffold-strands surfaces. At all inlet flow rates, gauge fluid pressure and oxygen-concentration were similar. The simulated cell proliferation and distribution, and oxygen-concentration data were in good agreement with the experimental results. In conclusion, varying a perfusion bioreactor's inlet flow rate locally affects fluid velocity, fluid shear stress, and wall shear stress inside 3D-printed scaffolds, but not gauge fluid pressure, and oxygen-concentration, which seems crucial for optimized bone tissue engineering strategies using bioreactors, scaffolds, and cells.
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16
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Cellular considerations for optimizing bone cell culture and remodeling in a lab-on-a-chip platform. Biotechniques 2020; 68:263-269. [PMID: 32146829 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2019-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Our lab has developed a lab-on-a-chip platform for bone remodeling that enables long-term culturing of bone cells out to 7 weeks and serves as a foundation toward a multicellular organ-on-a-chip system. Here, we optimized culturing protocols for osteoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes within the lab-on-a-chip and performed functional activity assays for quantifying bone formation and resorption. We analyzed cell seeding densities, feeding schedules and time in culture as a basis for optimizing culturing protocols. Further, we addressed concerns of sterility, cytotoxicity and leakage during the extended culture period within the polydimethylsiloxane chip. This system provides a method for quantifying the soluble effects of mechanically stimulated osteocytes on bone remodeling (formation/resorption).
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17
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Carter SSD, Barbe L, Tenje M, Mestres G. Exploring microfluidics as a tool to evaluate the biological properties of a titanium alloy under dynamic conditions. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:6309-6321. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00964d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
When evaluating the biological properties of titanium under dynamic conditions, cell proliferation was shown to be dominant over cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Sophia D. Carter
- Division of Microsystems Technology
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Science for Life Laboratory
- Uppsala University
- 751 22 Uppsala
| | - Laurent Barbe
- Division of Microsystems Technology
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Science for Life Laboratory
- Uppsala University
- 751 22 Uppsala
| | - Maria Tenje
- Division of Microsystems Technology
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Science for Life Laboratory
- Uppsala University
- 751 22 Uppsala
| | - Gemma Mestres
- Division of Microsystems Technology
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Science for Life Laboratory
- Uppsala University
- 751 22 Uppsala
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18
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Microfluidic models of physiological or pathological flow shear stress for cell biology, disease modeling and drug development. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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19
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Wang L, Jiang D, Wang Q, Wang Q, Hu H, Jia W. The Application of Microfluidic Techniques on Tissue Engineering in Orthopaedics. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 24:5397-5406. [PMID: 30827230 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190301142833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Tissue engineering (TE) is a promising solution for orthopaedic diseases such as bone or
cartilage defects and bone metastasis. Cell culture in vitro and scaffold fabrication are two main parts of TE, but
these two methods both have their own limitations. The static cell culture medium is unable to achieve multiple
cell incubation or offer an optimal microenvironment for cells, while regularly arranged structures are unavailable
in traditional cell-laden scaffolds, which results in low biocompatibility. To solve these problems, microfluidic
techniques are combined with TE. By providing 3-D networks and interstitial fluid flows, microfluidic platforms
manage to maintain phenotype and viability of osteocytic or chondrocytic cells, and the precise manipulation of
liquid, gel and air flows in microfluidic devices leads to the highly organized construction of scaffolds.
Methods:
In this review, we focus on the recent advances of microfluidic techniques applied in the field of tissue
engineering, especially in orthropaedics. An extensive literature search was done using PubMed. The introduction
describes the properties of microfluidics and how it exploits the advantages to the full in the aspects of TE. Then
we discuss the application of microfluidics on the cultivation of osteocytic cells and chondrocytes, and other
extended researches carried out on this platform. The following section focuses on the fabrication of highly organized
scaffolds and other biomaterials produced by microfluidic devices. Finally, the incubation and studying of
bone metastasis models in microfluidic platforms are discussed.
Conclusion:
The combination of microfluidics and tissue engineering shows great potentials in the osteocytic cell
culture and scaffold fabrication. Though there are several problems that still require further exploration, the future
of microfluidics in TE is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingtian Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Dajun Jiang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Qiyang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Haoran Hu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Weitao Jia
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
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20
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Mestres G, Perez RA, D’Elía NL, Barbe L. Advantages of microfluidic systems for studying cell-biomaterial interactions—focus on bone regeneration applications. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2019. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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21
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Xu H, Duan J, Ren L, Yang P, Yang R, Li W, Zhao D, Shang P, Jiang JX. Impact of flow shear stress on morphology of osteoblast-like IDG-SW3 cells. J Bone Miner Metab 2018; 36:529-536. [PMID: 29027016 PMCID: PMC6282752 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-017-0870-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study constructed an in situ cell culture, real-time observation system based originally on a microfluidic channel, and reported the morphological changes of late osteoblast-like IDG-SW3 cells in response to flow shear stress (FSS). The effects of high (1.2 Pa) and low (0.3 Pa) magnitudes of unidirectional FSS and three concentrations of extracellular Type I collagen (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) coating on cell morphology were investigated. IDG-SW3 cells were cultured in polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic channels. Cell images were recorded real-time under microscope at intervals of 1 min. Cell morphology was characterized by five parameters: cellular area, cell elongation index, cellular alignment, cellular process length, and number of cellular process per cell. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect stress fiber distribution and vinculin expression. The results showed that 1.2 Pa, but not 0.3 Pa of FSS induced a significant morphological change in late osteoblast-like IDG-SW3 cells, which may be caused by the alteration of cellular adhesion with matrix in response to FSS. Moreover, the amount of collagen matrix, alignment of fiber stress and expression of vinculin were closely correlated with the morphological changes of IDG-SW3 cells. This study suggests that osteoblasts are very responsive to the magnitudes of FSS, and extracellular collagen matrix and focal adhesion are directly involved in the morphological changes adaptive to FSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyun Xu
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jing Duan
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Ren
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruixin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongdong Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Shang
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jean X Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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22
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Meng G, Li C, Sun H, Lee I. Multiple calcium patterns of rat osteoblasts under fluidic shear stress. J Orthop Res 2018; 36:2039-2051. [PMID: 29266507 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ) response induced by external forces can be diverse and complex. Using primary osteoblasts from Wistar rats, we found multiple patterns of [Ca2+ ]i responses induced by fluidic shear stress (Fss), including homogeneous non-oscillation and heterogeneous oscillations. These multiple-patterned [Ca2+ ]i responses could be influenced by Fss intensity, cell density, and cell differentiation. Our real-time measurements with free calcium, ATP, ATP without calcium, suramin, apyrase, and thapsigargin confirmed homogeneous [Ca2+ ]i patterns and/or heterogeneous [Ca2+ ]i oscillations with respect to the combined degree of external Ca2+ influx, and intracellular Ca2+ release. Our theoretical model supported diverse Fss-induced calcium activities as well. We concluded that a singular factor of Ca2+ influx or release dominated to produce smooth homogeneous patterns, but combined factors produced oscillatory heterogeneous patterns. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2039-2051, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics and School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Academy of Laboratory, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, China
| | - Cunbo Li
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics and School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiying Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics and School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Imshik Lee
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics and School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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23
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Abstract
![]()
Hydrodynamic phenomena
are ubiquitous in living organisms and can
be used to manipulate cells or emulate physiological microenvironments
experienced in vivo. Hydrodynamic effects influence multiple cellular
properties and processes, including cell morphology, intracellular
processes, cell–cell signaling cascades and reaction kinetics,
and play an important role at the single-cell, multicellular, and
organ level. Selected hydrodynamic effects can also be leveraged to
control mechanical stresses, analyte transport, as well as local temperature
within cellular microenvironments. With a better understanding of
fluid mechanics at the micrometer-length scale and the advent of microfluidic
technologies, a new generation of experimental tools that provide
control over cellular microenvironments and emulate physiological
conditions with exquisite accuracy is now emerging. Accordingly, we
believe that it is timely to assess the concepts underlying hydrodynamic
control of cellular microenvironments and their applications and provide
some perspective on the future of such tools in in vitro cell-culture
models. Generally, we describe the interplay between living cells,
hydrodynamic stressors, and fluid flow-induced effects imposed on
the cells. This interplay results in a broad range of chemical, biological,
and physical phenomena in and around cells. More specifically, we
describe and formulate the underlying physics of hydrodynamic phenomena
affecting both adhered and suspended cells. Moreover, we provide an
overview of representative studies that leverage hydrodynamic effects
in the context of single-cell studies within microfluidic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Huber
- IBM Research-Zürich , Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.,Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ali Oskooei
- IBM Research-Zürich , Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Casadevall I Solvas
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Govind V Kaigala
- IBM Research-Zürich , Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
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24
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Middleton K, Kondiboyina A, Borrett M, Cui Y, Mei X, You L. Microfluidics approach to investigate the role of dynamic similitude in osteocyte mechanobiology. J Orthop Res 2018; 36:663-671. [PMID: 29027748 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fluid flow is an important regulator of cell function and metabolism in many tissues. Fluid shear stresses have been used to level the mechanical stimuli applied in vitro with what occurs in vivo. However, these experiments often lack dynamic similarity, which is necessary to ensure the validity of the model. For interstitial fluid flow, the major requirement for dynamic similarity is the Reynolds number (Re), the ratio of inertial to viscous forces, is the same between the system and model. To study the necessity of dynamic similarity for cell mechanotransduction studies, we investigated the response of osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells to different Re flows at the same level of fluid shear stress. Osteocytes were chosen for this study as flows applied in vitro and in vivo have Re that are orders of magnitude different. We hypothesize that osteocytes' response to fluid flow is Re dependent. We observed that cells exposed to lower and higher Re flows developed rounded and triangular morphologies, respectively. Lower Re flows also reduced apoptosis rates compared to higher Re flows. Furthermore, MLO-Y4 cells exposed to higher Re flows had stronger calcium responses compared to lower Re flows. However, by also controlling for flow rate, the lower Re flows induced a stronger calcium response; while degradation of components of the osteocyte glycocalyx reversed this effect. This work suggests that osteocytes are highly sensitive to differences in Re, independent of just shear stresses, supporting the need for improved in vitro flow platforms that better recapitulate the physiological environment. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:663-671, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Middleton
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Room 407, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Avinash Kondiboyina
- Division of Engineering Science, University of Toronto, 40 Saint George Street, Room 2110, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2E4, Canada
| | - Michael Borrett
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Room 4N59, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Yi Cui
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Room 105, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Xueting Mei
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Room 105, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Lidan You
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Room 407, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada.,Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Room 105, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G8, Canada
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25
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Canadas RF, Marques AP, Reis RL, Oliveira JM. Bioreactors and Microfluidics for Osteochondral Interface Maturation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1059:395-420. [PMID: 29736584 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-76735-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cell culture techniques are in the base of any biology-based science. The standard techniques are commonly static platforms as Petri dishes, tissue culture well plates, T-flasks, or well plates designed for spheroids formation. These systems faced a paradigm change from 2D to 3D over the current decade driven by the tissue engineering (TE) field. However, 3D static culture approaches usually suffer from several issues as poor homogenization of the formed tissues and development of a necrotic center which limits the size of in vitro tissues to hundreds of micrometers. Furthermore, for complex tissues as osteochondral (OC), more than recovering a 3D environment, an interface needs to be replicated. Although 3D cell culture is already the reality adopted by a newborn market, a technological revolution on cell culture devices needs a further step from static to dynamic already considering 3D interfaces with dramatic importance for broad fields such as biomedical, TE, and drug development. In this book chapter, we revised the existing approaches for dynamic 3D cell culture, focusing on bioreactors and microfluidic systems, and the future directions and challenges to be faced were discussed. Basic principles, advantages, and challenges of each technology were described. The reported systems for OC 3D TE were focused herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël F Canadas
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Alexandra P Marques
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. .,The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - J Miguel Oliveira
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
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26
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Middleton K, Al-Dujaili S, Mei X, Günther A, You L. Microfluidic co-culture platform for investigating osteocyte-osteoclast signalling during fluid shear stress mechanostimulation. J Biomech 2017; 59:35-42. [PMID: 28552413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bone cells exist in a complex environment where they are constantly exposed to numerous dynamic biochemical and mechanical stimuli. These stimuli regulate bone cells that are involved in various bone disorders, such as osteoporosis. Knowledge of how these stimuli affect bone cells have been utilised to develop various treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, hormone therapy, and exercise. To investigate the role that bone loading has on these disorders in vitro, bone cell mechanotransduction studies are typically performed using parallel plate flow chambers (PPFC). However, these chambers do not allow for dynamic cellular interactions among different cell populations to be investigated. We present a microfluidic approach that exposes different cell populations, which are located at physiologically relevant distances within adjacent channels, to different levels of fluid shear stress, and promotes cell-cell communication between the different channels. We employed this microfluidic system to assess mechanically regulated osteocyte-osteoclast communication. Osteoclast precursors (RAW264.7 cells) responded to cytokine gradients (e.g., RANKL, OPG, PGE-2) developed by both mechanically stimulated (fOCY) and unstimulated (nOCY) osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells simultaneously. Specifically, we observed increased osteoclast precursor cell densities and osteoclast differentiation towards nOCY. We also used this system to show an increased mechanoresponse of osteocytes when in co-culture with osteoclasts. We envision broad applicability of the presented approach for microfluidic perfusion co-culture of multiple cell types in the presence of fluid flow stimulation, and as a tool to investigate osteocyte mechanotransduction, as well as bone metastasis extravasation. This system could also be applied to any multi-cell population cross-talk studies that are typically performed using PPFCs (e.g. endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts).
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Affiliation(s)
- K Middleton
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - S Al-Dujaili
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - X Mei
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - A Günther
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - L You
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
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Wittkowske C, Reilly GC, Lacroix D, Perrault CM. In Vitro Bone Cell Models: Impact of Fluid Shear Stress on Bone Formation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2016; 4:87. [PMID: 27896266 PMCID: PMC5108781 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2016.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review describes the role of bone cells and their surrounding matrix in maintaining bone strength through the process of bone remodeling. Subsequently, this work focusses on how bone formation is guided by mechanical forces and fluid shear stress in particular. It has been demonstrated that mechanical stimulation is an important regulator of bone metabolism. Shear stress generated by interstitial fluid flow in the lacunar-canalicular network influences maintenance and healing of bone tissue. Fluid flow is primarily caused by compressive loading of bone as a result of physical activity. Changes in loading, e.g., due to extended periods of bed rest or microgravity in space are associated with altered bone remodeling and formation in vivo. In vitro, it has been reported that bone cells respond to fluid shear stress by releasing osteogenic signaling factors, such as nitric oxide, and prostaglandins. This work focusses on the application of in vitro models to study the effects of fluid flow on bone cell signaling, collagen deposition, and matrix mineralization. Particular attention is given to in vitro set-ups, which allow long-term cell culture and the application of low fluid shear stress. In addition, this review explores what mechanisms influence the orientation of collagen fibers, which determine the anisotropic properties of bone. A better understanding of these mechanisms could facilitate the design of improved tissue-engineered bone implants or more effective bone disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wittkowske
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gwendolen C Reilly
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Department of Material Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Damien Lacroix
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Cecile M Perrault
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Liu C, Cui X, Ackermann TM, Flamini V, Chen W, Castillo AB. Osteoblast-derived paracrine factors regulate angiogenesis in response to mechanical stimulation. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 8:785-94. [PMID: 27332785 PMCID: PMC8274385 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00070c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels emerge from existing vessels through endothelial cell sprouting, migration, proliferation, and tubule formation. Angiogenesis during skeletal growth, homeostasis and repair is a complex and incompletely understood process. As the skeleton adapts to mechanical loading, we hypothesized that mechanical stimulation regulates "osteo-angio" crosstalk in the context of angiogenesis. We showed that conditioned media (CM) from osteoblasts exposed to fluid shear stress enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and migration, but not tubule formation, relative to CM from static cultures. Endothelial cell sprouting was studied using a dual-channel collagen gel-based microfluidic device that mimics vessel geometry. Static CM enhanced endothelial cell sprouting frequency, whereas loaded CM significantly enhanced both frequency and length. Both sprouting frequency and length were significantly enhanced in response to factors released from osteoblasts exposed to fluid shear stress in an adjacent channel. Osteoblasts released angiogenic factors, of which osteopontin, PDGF-AA, IGBP-2, MCP-1, and Pentraxin-3 were upregulated in response to mechanical loading. These data suggest that in vivo mechanical forces regulate angiogenesis in bone by modulating "osteo-angio" crosstalk through release of paracrine factors, which we term "osteokines".
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Xin Cui
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Thomas M Ackermann
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Vittoria Flamini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Alesha B Castillo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10003, USA
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Dash SK, Verma RS, Das SK. Long range microfluidic shear device for cellular mechanotransduction studies. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2015:3209-12. [PMID: 26736975 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7319075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cells sense external mechanical stimulus and respond to it through mechanotransduction mechanism. Fluid shear stress (FSS) has been found to be an important element among the mechanical stimuli. Recent advancements in microfluidics made mechanotransduction studies possible in near physiological conditions using microfluidic devices. FSS on human cells covers a broad range from very low level experienced due to interstitial flows (0.1 mPa) to very high level in aorta (10 Pa). In the present communication, we have designed a novel microfluidic device which can generate FSS on cells of five different orders with single inflow of fluid which can cover the whole range of physiological fluid shear stresses in one run. The dimensions of the device were calculated taking a resistance model for the micro channels. Flow velocities and wall shear stress were predicted through computer simulation. Shear stress values were analyzed for two different depths of channels and different inlet flow rates ranging from 50 to 0.5 μl/s. FSS was found to increase linearly with inlet flow rate and the stress profile was flatter for lesser depth of channel.
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Li X, Xu S, He P, Liu Y. In vitro recapitulation of functional microvessels for the study of endothelial shear response, nitric oxide and [Ca2+]i. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126797. [PMID: 25965067 PMCID: PMC4429116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic technologies enable in vitro studies to closely simulate in vivo microvessel environment with complexity. Such method overcomes certain constrains of the statically cultured endothelial monolayers and enables the cells grow under physiological range of shear flow with geometry similar to microvessels in vivo. However, there are still existing knowledge gaps and lack of convincing evidence to demonstrate and quantify key biological features of the microfluidic microvessels. In this paper, using advanced micromanufacturing and microfluidic technologies, we presented an engineered microvessel model that mimicked the dimensions and network structures of in vivo microvessels with a long-term and continuous perfusion capability, as well as high-resolution and real-time imaging capability. Through direct comparisons with studies conducted in intact microvessels, our results demonstrated that the cultured microvessels formed under perfused conditions recapitulated certain key features of the microvessels in vivo. In particular, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were successfully cultured the entire inner surfaces of the microchannel network with well-developed junctions indicated by VE-cadherin staining. The morphological and proliferative responses of endothelial cells to shear stresses were quantified under different flow conditions which was simulated with three-dimensional shear dependent numerical flow model. Furthermore, we successfully measured agonist-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and nitric oxide production at individual endothelial cell levels using fluorescence imaging. The results were comparable to those derived from individually perfused intact venules. With in vivo validation of its functionalities, our microfluidic model demonstrates a great potential for biological applications and bridges the gaps between in vitro and in vivo microvascular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State University, School of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sulei Xu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State University, School of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Pingnian He
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State University, School of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (PH); (YL)
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (PH); (YL)
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Wei C, Fan B, Chen D, Liu C, Wei Y, Huo B, You L, Wang J, Chen J. Osteocyte culture in microfluidic devices. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:014109. [PMID: 25713691 PMCID: PMC4312340 DOI: 10.1063/1.4905692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a microfluidic device (poly-dimethylsiloxane micro channels bonded with glass slides) enabling culture of MLO-Y4 osteocyte like cells. In this study, on-chip collagen coating, cell seeding and culture, as well as staining were demonstrated in a tubing-free manner where gravity was used as the driving force for liquid transportation. MLO-Y4 cells were cultured in microfluidic channels with and without collagen coating where cellular images in a time sequence were taken and analyzed, confirming the positive effect of collagen coating on phenotype maintaining of MLO-Y4 cells. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen based proliferation assay was used to study cellular proliferation, revealing a higher proliferation rate of MLO-Y4 cells seeded in microfluidic channels without collagen coating compared to the substrates coated with collagen. Furthermore, the effects of channel dimensions (variations in width and height) on the viability of MLO-Y4 cells were explored based on the Calcein-AM and propidium iodide based live/dead assay and the Hoechst 33258 based apoptosis assay, locating the correlation between the decrease in channel width or height and the decrease in cell viability. As a platform technology, this microfluidic device may function as a new cell culture model enabling studies of osteocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Beiyuan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Deyong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Liu
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Yuanchen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Huo
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Lidan You
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Junbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Institute of Electronics , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
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A microfluidic-based multi-shear device for investigating the effects of low fluid-induced stresses on osteoblasts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89966. [PMID: 24587156 PMCID: PMC3937402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interstitial fluid flow (IFF) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) produces low magnitude shear stresses on cells. Fluid flow-induced stress (FSS) plays an important role during tissue morphogenesis. To investigate the effect of low FSS generated by IFF on cells, we developed a microfluidic-based cell culture device that can generate multiple low shear stresses. By changing the length and width of the flow-in channels, different continuous low level shear stresses could be generated in individual cell culture chambers. Numerical calculations demonstrate uniform shear stress distributions of the major cell culture area of each chamber. This calculation is further confirmed by the wall shear stress curves. The effects of low FSS on MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation were studied using this device. It was found that FSS ranging from 1.5 to 52.6 µPa promoted MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation, but FSS over 412 µPa inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. FSS ranging from 1.5 to 52.6 µPa also increased the expression of Runx2, a key transcription factor regulating osteoblast differentiation. It is suggested that Runx2 might be an important regulator in low FSS-induced MC3T3-E1 differentiation. This device allows for detailed study of the effect of low FSS on the behaviors of cells; thus, it would be a useful tool for analysis of the effects of IFF-induced shear stresses on cells.
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Meng G, Pan L, Li C, Hu F, Shi X, Lee I, Drevenšek-Olenik I, Zhang X, Xu J. Temperature-induced labelling of Fluo-3 AM selectively yields brighter nucleus in adherent cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 443:888-93. [PMID: 24380862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Fluo-3 is widely used to study cell calcium. Two traditional approaches: (1) direct injection and (2) Fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester (AM) loading, often bring conflicting results in cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca(2+)]c) and nuclear calcium ([Ca(2+)]n) imaging. AM loading usually yields a darker nucleus than in cytoplasm, while direct injection always induces a brighter nucleus which is more responsive to [Ca(2+)]n detection. In this work, we detailedly investigated the effects of loading and de-esterification temperatures on the fluorescence intensity of Fluo-3 in response to [Ca(2+)]n and [Ca(2+)]c in adherent cells, including osteoblast, HeLa and BV2 cells. Interestingly, it showed that fluorescence intensity of nucleus in osteoblast cells was about two times larger than that of cytoplasm when cells were loaded with Fluo-3 AM at 4 °C and allowed a subsequent step for de-esterification at 20 °C. Brighter nuclei were also acquired in HeLa and BV2 cells using the same experimental condition. Furthermore, loading time and adhesion quality of cells had effect on fluorescence intensity. Taken together, cold loading and room temperature de-esterification treatment of Fluo-3 AM selectively yielded brighter nucleus in adherent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Leiting Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Cunbo Li
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fen Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuechen Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Imshik Lee
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Irena Drevenšek-Olenik
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, and J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Xinzheng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingjun Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and TEDA Applied Physics Institute, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Nitric oxide induces apoptosis associated with TRPV1 channel-mediated Ca2+ entry via S-nitrosylation in osteoblasts. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 715:280-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Polacheck WJ, Li R, Uzel SGM, Kamm RD. Microfluidic platforms for mechanobiology. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:2252-67. [PMID: 23649165 PMCID: PMC3714214 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc41393d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotransduction has been a topic of considerable interest since early studies demonstrated a link between mechanical force and biological response. Until recently, studies of fundamental phenomena were based either on in vivo experiments with limited control or direct access, or on large-scale in vitro studies lacking many of the potentially important physiological factors. With the advent of microfluidics, many of the previous limitations of in vitro testing were eliminated or reduced through greater control or combined functionalities. At the same time, imaging capabilities were tremendously enhanced. In this review, we discuss how microfluidics has transformed the study of mechanotransduction. This is done in the context of the various cell types that exhibit force-induced responses and the new biological insights that have been elucidated. We also discuss new microfluidic studies that could produce even more realistic models of in vivo conditions by combining multiple stimuli or creating a more realistic microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Polacheck
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ran Li
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sebastien G. M. Uzel
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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36
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Macro and microfluidic flows for skeletal regenerative medicine. Cells 2012; 1:1225-45. [PMID: 24710552 PMCID: PMC3901127 DOI: 10.3390/cells1041225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluid flow has a great potential as a cell stimulatory tool for skeletal regenerative medicine, because fluid flow-induced bone cell mechanotransduction in vivo plays a critical role in maintaining healthy bone homeostasis. Applications of fluid flow for skeletal regenerative medicine are reviewed at macro and microscale. Macroflow in two dimensions (2D), in which flow velocity varies along the normal direction to the flow, has explored molecular mechanisms of bone forming cell mechanotransduction responsible for flow-regulated differentiation, mineralized matrix deposition, and stem cell osteogenesis. Though 2D flow set-ups are useful for mechanistic studies due to easiness in in situ and post-flow assays, engineering skeletal tissue constructs should involve three dimensional (3D) flows, e.g., flow through porous scaffolds. Skeletal tissue engineering using 3D flows has produced promising outcomes, but 3D flow conditions (e.g., shear stress vs. chemotransport) and scaffold characteristics should further be tailored. Ideally, data gained from 2D flows may be utilized to engineer improved 3D bone tissue constructs. Recent microfluidics approaches suggest a strong potential to mimic in vivo microscale interstitial flows in bone. Though there have been few microfluidics studies on bone cells, it was demonstrated that microfluidic platform can be used to conduct high throughput screening of bone cell mechanotransduction behavior under biomimicking flow conditions.
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Sasaki N, Shinjo M, Hirakawa S, Nishinaka M, Tanaka Y, Mawatari K, Kitamori T, Sato K. A palmtop-sized microfluidic cell culture system driven by a miniaturized infusion pump. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:1729-35. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201100691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Sasaki
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences; Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University; Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku; Tokyo; Japan
| | - Mika Shinjo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences; Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University; Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku; Tokyo; Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirakawa
- Department of Dermatology; Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Handayama; Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka; Japan
| | - Masahiro Nishinaka
- Department of Applied Chemistry; Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo; Hongo, Bunkyo-ku; Tokyo; Japan
| | - Yo Tanaka
- Department of Applied Chemistry; Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo; Hongo, Bunkyo-ku; Tokyo; Japan
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Melchior B, Frangos JA. Gαq/11-mediated intracellular calcium responses to retrograde flow in endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2012; 303:C467-73. [PMID: 22700794 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00117.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disturbed flow patterns, including reversal in flow direction, are key factors in the development of dysfunctional endothelial cells (ECs) and atherosclerotic lesions. An almost immediate response of ECs to fluid shear stress is the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Whether the source of [Ca(2+)](i) is extracellular, released from Ca(2+) intracellular stores, or both is still undefined, though it is likely dependent on the nature of forces involved. We have previously shown that a change in flow direction (retrograde flow) on a flow-adapted endothelial monolayer induces the remodeling of the cell-cell junction along with a dramatic [Ca(2+)](i) burst compared with cells exposed to unidirectional or orthograde flow. The heterotrimeric G protein-α q and 11 subunit (Gα(q/11)) is a likely candidate in effecting shear-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i) since its expression is enriched at the junction and has been previously shown to be activated within seconds after onset of flow. In flow-adapted human ECs, we have investigated to what extent the Gα(q/11) pathway mediates calcium dynamics after reversal in flow direction. We observed that the elapsed time to peak [Ca(2+)](i) response to a 10 dyn/cm(2) retrograde shear stress was increased by 11 s in cells silenced with small interfering RNA directed against Gα(q/11). A similar lag in [Ca(2+)](i) transient was observed after cells were treated with the phospholipase C (PLC)-βγ inhibitor, U-73122, or the phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC inhibitor, edelfosine, compared with controls. Lower levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulation seconds after the onset of flow correlated with the increased lag in [Ca(2+)](i) responses observed with the different treatments. In addition, inhibition of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor entirely abrogated flow-induced [Ca(2+)](i). Taken together, our results identify the Gα(q/11)-PLC pathway as the initial trigger for retrograde flow-induced endoplasmic reticulum calcium store release, thereby offering a novel approach to regulating EC dysfunctions in regions subjected to the reversal of blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Melchior
- La Jolla Bioengineering Institute, San Diego, California, USA
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Oh KW, Lee K, Ahn B, Furlani EP. Design of pressure-driven microfluidic networks using electric circuit analogy. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:515-45. [PMID: 22179505 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc20799k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews the application of electric circuit methods for the analysis of pressure-driven microfluidic networks with an emphasis on concentration- and flow-dependent systems. The application of circuit methods to microfluidics is based on the analogous behaviour of hydraulic and electric circuits with correlations of pressure to voltage, volumetric flow rate to current, and hydraulic to electric resistance. Circuit analysis enables rapid predictions of pressure-driven laminar flow in microchannels and is very useful for designing complex microfluidic networks in advance of fabrication. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the physics of pressure-driven laminar flow, the formal analogy between electric and hydraulic circuits, applications of circuit theory to microfluidic network-based devices, recent development and applications of concentration- and flow-dependent microfluidic networks, and promising future applications. The lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and microfluidics community will gain insightful ideas and practical design strategies for developing unique microfluidic network-based devices to address a broad range of biological, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other scientific and technical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang W Oh
- SMALL (Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab), Department of Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY-Buffalo), New York 14260, USA.
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Das A, Botchwey E. Evaluation of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2011; 17:403-14. [PMID: 21902609 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2011.0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bone regeneration has long been a major focus for tissue engineers and the importance of vascularization to the bone regeneration process has been well documented. Over the past decade, technological advances in the areas of stem cell biology, scaffold fabrication, and protein engineering have significantly enhanced our understanding of the interplay between vascularization and bone growth. This review, therefore, describes the commonly used models for investigating the complex interactions between osteoblastic cells and endothelial cells, evaluates the different tools utilized to investigate the relationship between vascularization and bone growth in vivo, and finally, summarizes possible areas of research related to therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusuya Das
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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