1
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Chang HF, Cheng JY. Glioblastoma U-87 cell electrotaxis is hindered by doxycycline with a concomitant reduction in the matrix metallopeptidase-9 expression. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101690. [PMID: 38571555 PMCID: PMC10987802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Electric fields (EF) play an essential role in cancer cell migration. Numerous cancer cell types exhibit electrotaxis under direct current electric fields (dcEF) of physiological electric field strength (EFs). This study investigated the effects of doxycycline on the electrotactic responses of U87 cells. After EF stimulation, U87 cells migrated toward the cathode, whereas doxycycline-treated U87 cells exhibited enhanced cell mobility but hindered cathodal migration. We further investigated the expression of the metastasis-correlated proteins matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in U87 cells. The levels of MMP-2 in the cells were not altered under EF or doxycycline stimulation. In contrast, the EF stimulation greatly enhanced the levels of MMP-9 and then repressed in doxycycline-cotreated cells, accompanied by reduced cathodal migration. Our results demonstrated that an antibiotic at a non-toxic concentration could suppress the enhanced cell migration accelerated by EF of physiological strength. This finding may be applied as an anti-metastatic treatment for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Chang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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2
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Yin S, Lu R, Li Y, Sun D, Liu C, Liu B, Li J. A microfluidic device inspired by leaky tumor vessels for hematogenous metastasis mechanism research. Analyst 2023; 148:1570-1578. [PMID: 36892183 DOI: 10.1039/d2an02081e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial intercellular pores of tumor vessels generally lead to enhanced interstitial flow and may facilitate the migration of tumor cells. The permeability of tumor vessels causes a concentration gradient of growth factors (CGGF) from blood vessels to tumor tissues, which is opposite to the direction of interstitial flow. In this work, exogenous chemotaxis under the CGGF is demonstrated as a mechanism of hematogenous metastasis. A bionic microfluidic device inspired by endothelial intercellular pores of tumor vessels has been designed to study the mechanism. A porous membrane vertically integrated into the device using a novel compound mold is utilized to mimic the leaky vascular wall. The formation mechanism of the CGGF caused by endothelial intercellular pores is numerically analyzed and experimentally verified. The migration behavior of U-2OS cells is studied in the microfluidic device. The device is divided into three regions of interest (ROI): primary site, migration zone, and tumor vessel. The number of cells in the migration zone increases significantly under the CGGF, but decreases under no CGGF, indicating tumor cells may be guided to the vascellum by exogenous chemotaxis. Transendothelial migration is subsequently monitored, demonstrating the successful replication of the key steps in vitro in the metastatic cascade by the bionic microfluidic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqing Yin
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Ruoyu Lu
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Dexian Sun
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China. .,Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Jingmin Li
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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3
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Ren J, Wang N, Guo P, Fan Y, Lin F, Wu J. Recent advances in microfluidics-based cell migration research. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3361-3376. [PMID: 35993877 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00397j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is crucial for many biological processes, including normal development, immune response, and tissue homeostasis and many pathological processes such as cancer metastasis and wound healing. Microfluidics has revolutionized the research in cell migration since its inception as it reduces the cost of studies and allows precise manipulation of different parameters that affect cell migratory response. Over the past decade, the field has made great strides in many directions, such as techniques for better control of the cellular microenvironment, application-oriented physiological-like models, and machine-assisted cell image analysis methods. Here we review recent developments in the field of microfluidic cell migration through the following aspects: 1) the co-culture models for studying host-pathogen interactions at single-cell resolution; 2) the spatiotemporal manipulation of the chemical gradients guiding cell migration; 3) the organ-on-chip models to study cell transmigration; and 4) the deep learning image processing strategies for cell migration data analysis. We further discuss the challenges, possible improvement and future perspectives of using microfluidic techniques to study cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Ren
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Piao Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yanping Fan
- School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China
| | - Francis Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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4
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Ángeles-Robles G, Ortiz-Dosal LC, Aranda-Espinoza H, Olivares-Illana V, Arauz-Lara JL, Aranda-Espinoza S. Actin protein inside DMPC GUVs and its mechanical response to AC electric fields. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183883. [PMID: 35181295 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.183883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cells are dynamic systems with complex mechanical properties, regulated by the presence of different species of proteins capable to assemble (and disassemble) into filamentous forms as required by different cells functions. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) of DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) are systems frequently used as a simplified model of cells because they offer the possibility of assaying separately different stimuli, which is no possible in living cells. Here we present a study of the effect of acting protein on mechanical properties of GUVs, when the protein is inside the vesicles in either monomeric G-actin or filamentous F-actin. For this, rabbit skeletal muscle G-actin is introduced inside GUVs by the electroformation method. Protein polymerization inside the GUVs is promoted by adding to the solution MgCl2 and the ion carrier A23187 to allow the transport of Mg+2 ions into the GUVs. To determine how the presence of actin changes the mechanical properties of GUVs, the vesicles are deformed by the application of an AC electric field in both cases with G-actin and with polymerized F-actin. The changes in shape of the vesicles are characterized by optical microscopy and from them the bending stiffness of the membrane are determined. It is found that G-actin has no appreciable effect on the bending stiffness of DMPC GUVs, but the polymerized actin makes the vesicles more rigid and therefore more resistant to deformations. This result is supported by evidence that actin filaments tend to accumulate near the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Ángeles-Robles
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - Luis Carlos Ortiz-Dosal
- Unidad Académica de Ingeniería I, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico
| | - H Aranda-Espinoza
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, United States of America
| | - Vanesa Olivares-Illana
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - José Luis Arauz-Lara
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico
| | - S Aranda-Espinoza
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, S. L. P., Mexico.
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5
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Kerk YJ, Jameel A, Xing X, Zhang C. Recent advances of integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture system. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2021; 5:103-119. [PMID: 36970555 PMCID: PMC9996741 DOI: 10.1049/enb2.12015] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic devices with superior microscale fluid manipulation ability and large integration flexibility offer great advantages of high throughput, parallelisation and multifunctional automation. Such features have been extensively utilised to facilitate cell culture processes such as cell capturing and culturing under controllable and monitored conditions for cell-based assays. Incorporating functional components and microfabricated configurations offered different levels of fluid control and cell manipulation strategies to meet diverse culture demands. This review will discuss the advances of single-phase flow and droplet-based integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture systems and their applications for accelerated bioprocess development, high-throughput cell selection, drug screening and scientific research to insight cell biology. Challenges and future prospects for this dynamically developing field are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jing Kerk
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Aysha Jameel
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xin‐Hui Xing
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chong Zhang
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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6
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Ding S, Zhang H, Wang X. Microfluidic-Chip-Integrated Biosensors for Lung Disease Models. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:456. [PMID: 34821672 PMCID: PMC8615803 DOI: 10.3390/bios11110456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung diseases (e.g., infection, asthma, cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis) represent serious threats to human health all over the world. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell models and animal models cannot mimic the human-specific properties of the lungs. In the past decade, human organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms-including lung-on-a-chip (LOC)-have emerged rapidly, with the ability to reproduce the in vivo features of organs or tissues based on their three-dimensional (3D) structures. Furthermore, the integration of biosensors in the chip allows researchers to monitor various parameters related to disease development and drug efficacy. In this review, we illustrate the biosensor-based LOC modeling, further discussing the future challenges as well as perspectives in integrating biosensors in OOC platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ding
- Department of Oncology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Haijun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Xuemei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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7
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Yang Q, Jiang N, Xu H, Zhang Y, Xiong C, Huang J. Integration of electrotaxis and durotaxis in cancer cells: Subtle nonlinear responses to electromechanical coupling cues. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 186:113289. [PMID: 33975207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113289] [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: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cells in living organisms live in multiphysics-coupled environments. There is growing evidence indicating that both exogenous electric field (EEF) and extracellular stiffness gradient (ESG) can regulate directional movement of cells, which are known as electrotaxis and durotaxis, respectively. How single cells respond to the ubiquitous electromechanical coupling cues, however, remains mysterious. Using microfluidic chip-based methodology and finite element-based electromechanical coupling design strategies, we develope an electromechanical coupling microchip system, enabling us to quantitatively investigate polarization and directional migration governed by EEF and ESG at the single cell level. It is revealed that both of electrotaxis and durotaxis nonlinearly depend on the physiological EEF and ESG, respectively. Specific combinations of EEF and ESG can subtly modify the polarization states of single cells and thus induce hyperpolarization and depolarization. Cells can integrate electrotaxis and durotaxis in response to multi-cue microenvironments via subtle mechanisms involving cooperation and competition during cellular electrosensing and mechanosensing. The work offers a platform for quantifying migration and polarization of cells driven by electromechanical cues, which is essential not only for elucidating physiological and pathological processes like embryo development, and invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, but for manipulating cell behaviors in a controllable and programmable fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunfeng Yang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chunyang Xiong
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyong Huang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Beijing Innovation Center for Engineering Science and Advanced Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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8
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Moarefian M, Davalos RV, Burton MD, Jones CN. Electrotaxis-on-Chip to Quantify Neutrophil Migration Towards Electrochemical Gradients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:674727. [PMID: 34421891 PMCID: PMC8379007 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electric fields are generated in vivo in a variety of physiologic and pathologic settings, including wound healing and immune response to injuries to epithelial barriers (e.g. lung pneumocytes). Immune cells are known to migrate towards both chemical (chemotaxis), physical (mechanotaxis) and electric stimuli (electrotaxis). Electrotaxis is the guided migration of cells along electric fields, and has previously been reported in T-cells and cancer cells. However, there remains a need for engineering tools with high spatial and temporal resolution to quantify EF guided migration. Here we report the development of an electrotaxis-on-chip (ETOC) platform that enables the quantification of dHL-60 cell, a model neutrophil-like cell line, migration toward both electrical and chemoattractant gradients. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells and set the stage for the magnitude of the immune response. Therefore, developing engineering tools to direct neutrophil migration patterns has applications in both infectious disease and inflammatory disorders. The ETOC developed in this study has embedded electrodes and four migration zones connected to a central cell-loading chamber with migration channels [10 µm X 10 µm]. This device enables both parallel and competing chemoattractant and electric fields. We use our novel ETOC platform to investigate dHL-60 cell migration in three biologically relevant conditions: 1) in a DC electric field; 2) parallel chemical gradient and electric fields; and 3) perpendicular chemical gradient and electric field. In this study we used differentiated leukemia cancer cells (dHL60 cells), an accepted model for human peripheral blood neutrophils. We first quantified effects of electric field intensities (0.4V/cm-1V/cm) on dHL-60 cell electrotaxis. Our results show optimal migration at 0.6 V/cm. In the second scenario, we tested whether it was possible to increase dHL-60 cell migration to a bacterial signal [N-formylated peptides (fMLP)] by adding a parallel electric field. Our results show that there was significant increase (6-fold increase) in dHL60 migration toward fMLP and cathode of DC electric field (0.6V/cm, n=4, p-value<0.005) vs. fMLP alone. Finally, we evaluated whether we could decrease or re-direct dHL-60 cell migration away from an inflammatory signal [leukotriene B4 (LTB4)]. The perpendicular electric field significantly decreased migration (2.9-fold decrease) of dHL60s toward LTB4vs. LTB4 alone. Our microfluidic device enabled us to quantify single-cell electrotaxis velocity (7.9 µm/min ± 3.6). The magnitude and direction of the electric field can be more precisely and quickly changed than most other guidance cues such as chemical cues in clinical investigation. A better understanding of EF guided cell migration will enable the development of new EF-based treatments to precisely direct immune cell migration for wound care, infection, and other inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Moarefian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Michael D. Burton
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology and Behavior Group, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Caroline N. Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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9
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SIROF stabilized PEDOT/PSS allows biocompatible and reversible direct current stimulation capable of driving electrotaxis in cells. Biomaterials 2021; 275:120949. [PMID: 34153784 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Electrotaxis is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which ionic gradients dictate the directed migration of cells involved in different biological processes such as wound healing, embryonic development, or cancer metastasis. To investigate these processes, direct current (DC) has been used to generate electric fields capable of eliciting an electrotactic response in cells. However, the need for metallic electrodes to deliver said currents has hindered electrotaxis research and the application of DC stimulation as medical therapy. This study aimed to investigate the capability of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) on sputtered iridium oxide film (SIROF) electrodes to generate stable direct currents. The electrochemical properties of PEDOT/PSS allow ions to be released and reabsorbed depending on the polarity of the current flow. SIROF stabilized PEDOT/PSS electrodes demonstrated exceptional stability in voltage and current controlled DC stimulation for periods of up to 12 hours. These electrodes were capable of directing cell migration of the rat prostate cancer cell line MAT-LyLu in a microfluidic chamber without the need for chemical buffers. This material combination shows excellent promise for accelerating electrotaxis research and facilitating the translation of DC stimulation to medical applications thanks to its biocompatibility, ionic charge injection mechanisms, and recharging capabilities in a biological environment.
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10
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Nossa R, Costa J, Cacopardo L, Ahluwalia A. Breathing in vitro: Designs and applications of engineered lung models. J Tissue Eng 2021; 12:20417314211008696. [PMID: 33996022 PMCID: PMC8107677 DOI: 10.1177/20417314211008696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to provide a systematic design guideline to users, particularly engineers interested in developing and deploying lung models, and biologists seeking to identify a suitable platform for conducting in vitro experiments involving pulmonary cells or tissues. We first discuss the state of the art on lung in vitro models, describing the most simplistic and traditional ones. Then, we analyze in further detail the more complex dynamic engineered systems that either provide mechanical cues, or allow for more predictive exposure studies, or in some cases even both. This is followed by a dedicated section on microchips of the lung. Lastly, we present a critical discussion of the different characteristics of each type of system and the criteria which may help researchers select the most appropriate technology according to their specific requirements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the tables accompanying the different sections where comprehensive and quantitative information on the operating parameters and performance of the different systems reported in the literature is provided.
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11
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Oliveira M, Conceição P, Kant K, Ainla A, Diéguez L. Electrochemical Sensing in 3D Cell Culture Models: New Tools for Developing Better Cancer Diagnostics and Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1381. [PMID: 33803738 PMCID: PMC8003119 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, conventional pre-clinical in vitro studies are primarily based on two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models, which are usually limited in mimicking the real three-dimensional (3D) physiological conditions, cell heterogeneity, cell to cell interaction, and extracellular matrix (ECM) present in living tissues. Traditionally, animal models are used to mimic the 3D environment of tissues and organs, but they suffer from high costs, are time consuming, bring up ethical concerns, and still present many differences when compared to the human body. The applications of microfluidic-based 3D cell culture models are advantageous and useful as they include 3D multicellular model systems (MCMS). These models have demonstrated potential to simulate the in vivo 3D microenvironment with relatively low cost and high throughput. The incorporation of monitoring capabilities in the MCMS has also been explored to evaluate in real time biophysical and chemical parameters of the system, for example temperature, oxygen, pH, and metabolites. Electrochemical sensing is considered as one of the most sensitive and commercially adapted technologies for bio-sensing applications. Amalgamation of electrochemical biosensing with cell culture in microfluidic devices with improved sensitivity and performance are the future of 3D systems. Particularly in cancer, such models with integrated sensing capabilities can be crucial to assess the multiple parameters involved in tumour formation, proliferation, and invasion. In this review, we are focusing on existing 3D cell culture systems with integrated electrochemical sensing for potential applications in cancer models to advance diagnosis and treatment. We discuss their design, sensing principle, and application in the biomedical area to understand the potential relevance of miniaturized electrochemical hybrid systems for the next generation of diagnostic platforms for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Oliveira
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (M.O.); (P.C.); (K.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Pedro Conceição
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (M.O.); (P.C.); (K.K.); (A.A.)
- Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Krishna Kant
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (M.O.); (P.C.); (K.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Alar Ainla
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (M.O.); (P.C.); (K.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Lorena Diéguez
- Medical Devices Research Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), 4715-330 Braga, Portugal; (M.O.); (P.C.); (K.K.); (A.A.)
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12
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Ryan CNM, Doulgkeroglou MN, Zeugolis DI. Electric field stimulation for tissue engineering applications. BMC Biomed Eng 2021; 3:1. [PMID: 33397515 PMCID: PMC7784019 DOI: 10.1186/s42490-020-00046-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Electric fields are involved in numerous physiological processes, including directional embryonic development and wound healing following injury. To study these processes in vitro and/or to harness electric field stimulation as a biophysical environmental cue for organised tissue engineering strategies various electric field stimulation systems have been developed. These systems are overall similar in design and have been shown to influence morphology, orientation, migration and phenotype of several different cell types. This review discusses different electric field stimulation setups and their effect on cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N M Ryan
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland Galway & USI, Galway, Ireland.,Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Meletios N Doulgkeroglou
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland Galway & USI, Galway, Ireland.,Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland Galway & USI, Galway, Ireland. .,Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. .,Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
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13
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Guette-Marquet S, Roques C, Bergel A. Theoretical analysis of the electrochemical systems used for the application of direct current/voltage stimuli on cell cultures. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 139:107737. [PMID: 33494030 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous electric fields drive many essential functions relating to cell proliferation, motion, differentiation and tissue development. They are usually mimicked in vitro by using electrochemical systems to apply direct current or voltage stimuli to cell cultures. The many studies devoted to this topic have given rise to a wide variety of experimental systems, whose results are often difficult to compare. Here, these systems are analysed from an electrochemical standpoint to help harmonize protocols and facilitate optimal understanding of the data produced. The theoretical analysis of single-electrode systems shows the necessity of measuring the Nernst potential of the electrode and of discussing the results on this basis rather than using the value of the potential gradient. The paper then emphasizes the great complexity that can arise when high cell voltage is applied to a single electrode, because of the possible occurrence of anode and cathode sites. An analysis of two-electrode systems leads to the advice to change experimental practices by applying current instead of voltage. It also suggests that the values of electric fields reported so far may have been considerably overestimated in macro-sized devices. It would consequently be wise to revisit this area by testing considerably lower electric field values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Guette-Marquet
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Roques
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Alain Bergel
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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14
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Castro N, Ribeiro S, Fernandes MM, Ribeiro C, Cardoso V, Correia V, Minguez R, Lanceros‐Mendez S. Physically Active Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering Applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e2000125. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Castro
- BCMaterials, Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Science Park Leioa E‐48940 Spain
| | - S. Ribeiro
- Physics Centre University of Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) University of Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
| | - M. M. Fernandes
- Physics Centre University of Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
| | - C. Ribeiro
- Physics Centre University of Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Braga 4710‐057 Portugal
| | - V. Cardoso
- CMEMS‐UMinho Universidade do Minho Campus de Azurém Guimarães 4800‐058 Portugal
| | - V. Correia
- Algoritmi Research Centre University of Minho Campus de Azurém Guimarães 4800‐058 Portugal
| | - R. Minguez
- Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Bilbao E‐48013 Spain
| | - S. Lanceros‐Mendez
- BCMaterials, Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Science Park Leioa E‐48940 Spain
- IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science Bilbao E‐48013 Spain
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15
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Cai X, Briggs RG, Homburg HB, Young IM, Davis EJ, Lin YH, Battiste JD, Sughrue ME. Application of microfluidic devices for glioblastoma study: current status and future directions. Biomed Microdevices 2020; 22:60. [PMID: 32870410 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-020-00516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant primary brain tumors. This neoplasm is the hardest to treat and has a bad prognosis. Because of the characteristics of genetic heterogeneity and frequent recurrence, a successful cure for the disease is unlikely. Increasing evidence has revealed that the GBM stem cell-like cells (GSCs) and microenvironment are key elements in GBM recurrence and treatment failure. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this disease and to develop more effective therapeutic strategies for treatment, suitable approaches, techniques, and model systems closely mimicking real GBM conditions are required. Microfluidic devices, a model system mimicking the in vivo brain microenvironment, provide a very useful tool to analyze GBM cell behavior, their correlation with tumor malignancy, and the efficacy of multiple drug treatment. This paper reviews the applications of microfluidic devices in GBM research and summarizes progress and perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Robert G Briggs
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Hannah B Homburg
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | | | | | - Yueh-Hsin Lin
- Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - James D Battiste
- Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Michael E Sughrue
- Cingulum Health, Sydney, Australia.
- Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Suite 19, Level 7, Barker Street, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
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16
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Cellular processes involved in lung cancer cells exposed to direct current electric field. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5289. [PMID: 32210363 PMCID: PMC7093422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62332-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid breakthrough of electrochemical treatment of tumors, electric field (EF)-sensitive genes, previously rarely exploited, have become an emerging field recently. Here, we reported our work for the identification of EF-sensitive genes in lung cancer cells. The gene expression profile (GSE33845), in which the human lung cancer CL1-0 cells were treated with a direct current electric field (dcEF) (300 mV/mm) for 2 h, was retrieved from GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired, followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Hub genes were acquired and analyzed by various tools including the Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cytoscape, FunRich, Oncomine and cBioPortal. Subsequently, three-dimensional protein models of hub genes were modeled by Modeller 9.20 and Rosetta 3.9. Finally, a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation for each hub protein was performed with GROMACS 2018.2. A total of 257 DEGs were acquired and analyzed by GO, KEGG and PPI. Then, 10 hub genes were obtained, and the signal pathway analysis showed that two inflammatory pathways were activated: the FoxO signaling pathway and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. The molecular dynamic analysis including RMSD and the radius of gyration hinted that the 3D structures of hub proteins were built. Overall, our work identified EF-sensitive genes in lung cancer cells and identified that the inflammatory state of tumor cells may be involved in the feedback mechanism of lung cancer cells in response to electric field stimulation. In addition, qualified three-dimensional protein models of hub genes were also constructed, which will be helpful in understanding the complex effects of dcEF on human lung cancer CL1-0 cells.
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17
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Kwon T, Kwon OS, Cha HJ, Sung BJ. Stochastic and Heterogeneous Cancer Cell Migration: Experiment and Theory. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16297. [PMID: 31704971 PMCID: PMC6841739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration, an essential process for normal cell development and cancer metastasis, differs from a simple random walk: the mean-square displacement (〈(Δr)2(t)〉) of cells sometimes shows non-Fickian behavior, and the spatiotemporal correlation function (G(r, t)) of cells is often non-Gaussian. We find that this intriguing cell migration should be attributed to heterogeneity in a cell population, even one with a homogeneous genetic background. There are two limiting types of heterogeneity in a cell population: cellular heterogeneity and temporal heterogeneity. Cellular heterogeneity accounts for the cell-to-cell variation in migration capacity, while temporal heterogeneity arises from the temporal noise in the migration capacity of single cells. We illustrate that both cellular and temporal heterogeneity need to be taken into account simultaneously to elucidate cell migration. We investigate the two-dimensional migration of A549 lung cancer cells using time-lapse microscopy and find that the migration of A549 cells is Fickian but has a non-Gaussian spatiotemporal correlation. We find that when a theoretical model considers both cellular and temporal heterogeneity, the model reproduces all of the anomalous behaviors of cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejin Kwon
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Ok-Seon Kwon
- Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bong June Sung
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Smith A, Metz J, Pagliara S. MMHelper: An automated framework for the analysis of microscopy images acquired with the mother machine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10123. [PMID: 31300741 PMCID: PMC6626022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Live-cell imaging in microfluidic devices now allows the investigation of cellular heterogeneity within microbial populations. In particular, the mother machine technology developed by Wang et al. has been widely employed to investigate single-cell physiological parameters including gene expression, growth rate, mutagenesis, and response to antibiotics. One of the advantages of the mother machine technology is the ability to generate vast amounts of images; however, the time consuming analysis of these images constitutes a severe bottleneck. Here we overcome this limitation by introducing MMHelper ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3254394 ), a publicly available custom software implemented in Python which allows the automated analysis of brightfield or phase contrast, and any associated fluorescence, images of bacteria confined in the mother machine. We show that cell data extracted via MMHelper from tens of thousands of individual cells imaged in brightfield are consistent with results obtained via semi-automated image analysis based on ImageJ. Furthermore, we benchmark our software capability in processing phase contrast images from other laboratories against other publicly available software. We demonstrate that MMHelper has over 90% detection efficiency for brightfield and phase contrast images and provides a new open-source platform for the extraction of single-bacterium data, including cell length, area, and fluorescence intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Smith
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Metz
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
| | - Stefano Pagliara
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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19
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Keratinocyte electrotaxis induced by physiological pulsed direct current electric fields. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 127:113-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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20
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Ruzycka M, Cimpan MR, Rios-Mondragon I, Grudzinski IP. Microfluidics for studying metastatic patterns of lung cancer. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:71. [PMID: 31133019 PMCID: PMC6537392 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of lung cancer continues to rise worldwide. Because the aggressive metastasis of lung cancer cells is the major drawback of successful therapies, the crucial challenge of modern nanomedicine is to develop diagnostic tools to map the molecular mechanisms of metastasis in lung cancer patients. In recent years, microfluidic platforms have been given much attention as tools for novel point-of-care diagnostic, an important aspect being the reconstruction of the body organs and tissues mimicking the in vivo conditions in one simple microdevice. Herein, we present the first comprehensive overview of the microfluidic systems used as innovative tools in the studies of lung cancer metastasis including single cancer cell analysis, endothelial transmigration, distant niches migration and finally neoangiogenesis. The application of the microfluidic systems to study the intercellular crosstalk between lung cancer cells and surrounding tumor microenvironment and the connection with multiple molecular signals coming from the external cellular matrix are discussed. We also focus on recent breakthrough technologies regarding lab-on-chip devices that serve as tools for detecting circulating lung cancer cells. The superiority of microfluidic systems over traditional in vitro cell-based assays with regard to modern nanosafety studies and new cancer drug design and discovery is also addressed. Finally, the current progress and future challenges regarding printable and paper-based microfluidic devices for personalized nanomedicine are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ruzycka
- Department of Applied Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mihaela R Cimpan
- Biomaterials - Department for Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 19, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ivan Rios-Mondragon
- Biomaterials - Department for Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 19, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ireneusz P Grudzinski
- Department of Applied Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
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21
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Mencattini A, Mattei F, Schiavoni G, Gerardino A, Businaro L, Di Natale C, Martinelli E. From Petri Dishes to Organ on Chip Platform: The Increasing Importance of Machine Learning and Image Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:100. [PMID: 30863306 PMCID: PMC6399655 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest for microfluidic devices in medicine and biology has opened the way to new time-lapse microscopy era where the amount of images and their acquisition time will become crucial. In this optic, new data analysis algorithms have to be developed in order to extract novel features of cell behavior and cell-cell interactions. In this brief article, we emphasize the potential strength of a new paradigm arising in the integration of microfluidic devices (i.e., organ on chip), time-lapse microscopy analysis, and machine learning approaches. Some snapshots of previous case studies in the context of immunotherapy are included as proof of concepts of the proposed strategies while a visionary description concludes the work foreseeing future research and applicative scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Mencattini
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mattei
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Businaro
- CNR, Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Di Natale
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Martinelli
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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22
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Zhao Y, Kankala RK, Wang SB, Chen AZ. Multi-Organs-on-Chips: Towards Long-Term Biomedical Investigations. Molecules 2019; 24:E675. [PMID: 30769788 PMCID: PMC6412790 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24040675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With advantageous features such as minimizing the cost, time, and sample size requirements, organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems have garnered enormous interest from researchers for their ability for real-time monitoring of physical parameters by mimicking the in vivo microenvironment and the precise responses of xenobiotics, i.e., drug efficacy and toxicity over conventional two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, as well as animal models. Recent advancements of OOC systems have evidenced the fabrication of 'multi-organ-on-chip' (MOC) models, which connect separated organ chambers together to resemble an ideal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model for monitoring the complex interactions between multiple organs and the resultant dynamic responses of multiple organs to pharmaceutical compounds. Numerous varieties of MOC systems have been proposed, mainly focusing on the construction of these multi-organ models, while there are only few studies on how to realize continual, automated, and stable testing, which still remains a significant challenge in the development process of MOCs. Herein, this review emphasizes the recent advancements in realizing long-term testing of MOCs to promote their capability for real-time monitoring of multi-organ interactions and chronic cellular reactions more accurately and steadily over the available chip models. Efforts in this field are still ongoing for better performance in the assessment of preclinical attributes for a new chemical entity. Further, we give a brief overview on the various biomedical applications of long-term testing in MOCs, including several proposed applications and their potential utilization in the future. Finally, we summarize with perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Ranjith Kumar Kankala
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Shi-Bin Wang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Ai-Zheng Chen
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology (Huaqiao University), Xiamen 361021, China.
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23
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Alam MK, Koomson E, Zou H, Yi C, Li CW, Xu T, Yang M. Recent advances in microfluidic technology for manipulation and analysis of biological cells (2007–2017). Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1044:29-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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24
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Mittal R, Woo FW, Castro CS, Cohen MA, Karanxha J, Mittal J, Chhibber T, Jhaveri VM. Organ‐on‐chip models: Implications in drug discovery and clinical applications. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:8352-8380. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Frank W. Woo
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Carlo S. Castro
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Madeline A. Cohen
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Joana Karanxha
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Jeenu Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
| | - Tanya Chhibber
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh India
| | - Vasanti M. Jhaveri
- Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Florida
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25
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Huang L, Zhao P, Wang W. 3D cell electrorotation and imaging for measuring multiple cellular biophysical properties. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2359-2368. [PMID: 29946598 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00407b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
3D rotation is one of many fundamental manipulations to cells and imperative in a wide range of applications in single cell analysis involving biology, chemistry, physics and medicine. In this article, we report a dielectrophoresis-based, on-chip manipulation method that can load and rotate a single cell for 3D cell imaging and multiple biophysical property measurements. To achieve this, we trapped a single cell in constriction and subsequently released it to a rotation chamber formed by four sidewall electrodes and one transparent bottom electrode. In the rotation chamber, rotating electric fields were generated by applying appropriate AC signals to the electrodes for driving the single cell to rotate in 3D under control. The rotation spectrum for in-plane rotation was used to extract the cellular dielectric properties based on a spherical single-shell model, and the stacked images of out-of-plane cell rotation were used to reconstruct the 3D cell morphology to determine its geometric parameters. We have tested the capabilities of our method by rotating four representative mammalian cells including HeLa, C3H10, B lymphocyte, and HepaRG. Using our device, we quantified the area-specific membrane capacitance and cytoplasm conductivity for the four cells, and revealed the subtle difference of geometric parameters (i.e., surface area, volume, and roughness) by 3D cell imaging of cancer cells and normal leukocytes. Combining microfluidics, dielectrophoresis, and microscopic imaging techniques, our electrorotation-on-chip (EOC) technique is a versatile method for manipulating single cells under investigation and measuring their multiple biophysical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instrument, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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26
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Ma D, Wang R, Chen S, Luo T, Chow YT, Sun D. Microfluidic platform for probing cancer cells migration property under periodic mechanical confinement. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:024118. [PMID: 29755635 PMCID: PMC5924377 DOI: 10.1063/1.5030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell migration and invasion, which are involved in tumour metastasis, are hard to predict and control. Numerous studies have demonstrated that physical cues influence cancer cell migration and affect tumour metastasis. In this study, we proposed the use of a microchannel chip equipped with a number of vertical constrictions to produce periodic compression forces on cells passing through narrow channels. The chip with repeated vertical confinement was applied on adherent MHCC-97L liver cancer cells and suspended OCI-AML leukaemia cells to determine the migration ability of these cancer cells. Given the stimulation of the periodic mechanical confinement on-chip, the migration ability of cancer cells was promoted. Moreover, the migration speed increased as the stimulation was enhanced. Both AFM nanoindentation and optical stretching tests on cancer cells were performed to measure their mechanical property. After confinement stimulation, the cancer cells possessed higher deformability and lower stiffness than non-stimulating cells. The confinement stimulation altered the cell cytoskeleton, which governs the migration speed. This phenomenon was determined through gene expression analysis. The proposed on-chip cell migration assays will help characterise the migration property of cancer cells and benefit the development of new therapeutic strategies for metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongce Ma
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Shuxun Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Tao Luo
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Ting Chow
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
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27
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Caballero D, Kaushik S, Correlo V, Oliveira J, Reis R, Kundu S. Organ-on-chip models of cancer metastasis for future personalized medicine: From chip to the patient. Biomaterials 2017; 149:98-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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28
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Sun YS. Studying Electrotaxis in Microfluidic Devices. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 17:E2048. [PMID: 28880251 PMCID: PMC5621068 DOI: 10.3390/s17092048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Collective cell migration is important in various physiological processes such as morphogenesis, cancer metastasis and cell regeneration. Such migration can be induced and guided by different chemical and physical cues. Electrotaxis, referring to the directional migration of adherent cells under stimulus of electric fields, is believed to be highly involved in the wound-healing process. Electrotactic experiments are conventionally conducted in Petri dishes or cover glasses wherein cells are cultured and electric fields are applied. However, these devices suffer from evaporation of the culture medium, non-uniformity of electric fields and low throughput. To overcome these drawbacks, micro-fabricated devices composed of micro-channels and fluidic components have lately been applied to electrotactic studies. Microfluidic devices are capable of providing cells with a precise micro-environment including pH, nutrition, temperature and various stimuli. Therefore, with the advantages of reduced cell/reagent consumption, reduced Joule heating and uniform and precise electric fields, microfluidic chips are perfect platforms for observing cell migration under applied electric fields. In this paper, I review recent developments in designing and fabricating microfluidic devices for studying electrotaxis, aiming to provide critical updates in this rapidly-growing, interdisciplinary field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Shin Sun
- Department of Physics, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
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