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Li Z, Zhang R, Xu F, Yang J, Zhou L, Mao H. A Cell State Monitoring System with Integrated In Situ Imaging and pH Detection. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:9340. [PMID: 38067713 PMCID: PMC10708649 DOI: 10.3390/s23239340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell models are one of the most widely used basic models in biological research, and a variety of in vitro cell culture techniques and models have been developed recently to simulate the physiological microenvironment in vivo. However, regardless of the technique or model, cell culture is the most fundamental but crucial component. As a result, we have developed a cell culture monitoring system to assess the functional status of cells within a biochip. This article focuses on a mini-microscope made from a readily available camera for in situ continuous observation of cell growth within a biochip and a pH sensor based on optoelectronic sensing for measuring pH. With the aid of this monitoring system, scientists can keep an eye on cell growth in real time and learn how the pH of the culture medium affects it. This study offers a new approach for tracking cells on biochips and serves as a valuable resource for enhancing cell culture conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zening Li
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.L.); (F.X.); (L.Z.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rongtao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; (R.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fangliang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.L.); (F.X.); (L.Z.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China; (R.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.L.); (F.X.); (L.Z.)
| | - Hongju Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (Z.L.); (F.X.); (L.Z.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Babakhanova G, Agrawal A, Arora D, Horenberg A, Budhathoki JB, Dunkers JP, Chalfoun J, Bajcsy P, Simon CG. Three-dimensional, label-free cell viability measurements in tissue engineering scaffolds using optical coherence tomography. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:1279-1291. [PMID: 36916776 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37528] [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: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
In the field of tissue engineering, 3D scaffolds and cells are often combined to yield constructs that are used as therapeutics to repair or restore tissue function in patients. Viable cells are often required to achieve the intended mechanism of action for the therapy, where the live cells may build new tissue or may release factors that induce tissue regeneration. Thus, there is a need to reliably measure cell viability in 3D scaffolds as a quality attribute of a tissue-engineered medical product. Here, we developed a noninvasive, label-free, 3D optical coherence tomography (OCT) method to rapidly (2.5 min) image large sample volumes (1 mm3 ) to assess cell viability and distribution within scaffolds. OCT imaging was assessed using a model scaffold-cell system consisting of a polysaccharide-based hydrogel seeded with human Jurkat cells. Four test systems were used: hydrogel seeded with live cells, hydrogel seeded with heat-shocked or fixed dead cells and hydrogel without any cells. Time series OCT images demonstrated changes in the time-dependent speckle patterns due to refractive index (RI) variations within live cells that were not observed for pure hydrogel samples or hydrogels with dead cells. The changes in speckle patterns were used to generate live-cell contrast by image subtraction. In this way, objects with large changes in RI were binned as live cells. Using this approach, on average, OCT imaging measurements counted 326 ± 52 live cells per 0.288 mm3 for hydrogels that were seeded with 288 live cells (as determined by the acridine orange-propidium iodide cell counting method prior to seeding cells in gels). Considering the substantial uncertainties in fabricating the scaffold-cell constructs, such as the error from pipetting and counting cells, a 13% difference in the live-cell count is reasonable. Additionally, the 3D distribution of live cells was mapped within a hydrogel scaffold to assess the uniformity of their distribution across the volume. Our results demonstrate a real-time, noninvasive method to rapidly assess the spatial distribution of live cells within a 3D scaffold that could be useful for assessing tissue-engineered medical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Babakhanova
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Anant Agrawal
- Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Deepika Arora
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison Horenberg
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Jagat B Budhathoki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joy P Dunkers
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Joe Chalfoun
- Software and Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter Bajcsy
- Software and Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Carl G Simon
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
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