1
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Fardous RS, Alshmmari S, Tawfik E, Khadra I, Ramadan Q, Zourob M. An Integrated and Modular Compartmentalized Microfluidic System with Tunable Electrospun Porous Membranes for Epithelialized Organs-on-a-Chip. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 39047263 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c08864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
A modular and 3D compartmentalized microfluidic system with electrospun porous membranes (PMs) for epithelialized organ-on-a-chip systems is presented. Our novel approach involves direct deposition of polymer nanofibers onto a patterned poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate using electrospinning, resulting in an integrated PM within the microfluidic chip. The in situ deposition of the PM eliminates the need for additional assembly processes. To demonstrate the high throughput membrane integration capability of our approach, we successfully deposited nanofibers onto various chip designs with complex microfluidic planar structures and expanded dimensions. We characterized and tested the fully PMMA chip by growing an epithelial monolayer using the Caco-2 cell line to study drug permeability. A comprehensive analysis of the bulk and surface properties of the membrane's fibers made of PMMA and polystyrene (PS) was conducted to determine the polymer with the best performance for cell culture and drug transport applications. The PMMA-based membrane, with a PMMA/PVP ratio of 5:1, allowed for the fabrication of a uniform membrane structure along the aligned nanofibers. By modulating the fiber diameter and total thickness of the membrane, we could adjust the membrane's porosity for specific cell culture applications. The PMMA-PVP nanofibers exhibited a low polydispersity index value, indicating monodispersed nanofibers and a more homogeneous and uniform fiber network. Both types of membranes demonstrated excellent mechanical integrity under medium perfusion flow rates. However, the PMMA-PVP composition offered a tailored porous structure with modulable porosity based on the fiber diameter and thickness. Our developed platform enables dynamic in vitro modeling of the epithelial barrier and has applications in drug transport and in vitro microphysiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roa S Fardous
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K
- Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Kingdome Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alshmmari
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena 07745, Germany
- Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Kingdome Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam Tawfik
- Advanced Diagnostics & Therapeutics Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Kingdome Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Khadra
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K
| | - Qasem Ramadan
- Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Kingdome Saudi Arabia
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Gao Y, Zhong M, Yu J, Zhao Z, Yu C, Yu Q, Yao F, Li J, Zhang H. Large-Scale Fabrication of Freestanding Polymer Ultrathin Porous Membranes for Transparent Transwell Coculture Systems. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8168-8179. [PMID: 38437515 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c11946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Advancements in cell coculture systems with porous membranes have facilitated the simulation of human-like in vitro microenvironments for diverse biomedical applications. However, conventional Transwell membranes face limitations in low porosity (ca. 6%) and optical opacity due to their large thickness (ca. 10 μm). In this study, we demonstrated a one-step, large-scale fabrication of freestanding polymer ultrathin porous (PUP) membranes with thicknesses of hundreds of nanometers. PUP membranes were produced by using a gap-controlled bar-coating process combined with polymer blend phase separation. They are 20 times thinner than Transwell membranes, possessing 3-fold higher porosity and exhibiting high transparency. These membranes demonstrate outstanding molecular permeability and significantly reduce the cell-cell distance, thereby facilitating efficient signal exchange pathways between cells. This research enables the establishment of a cutting-edge in vitro cell coculture system, enhancing optical transparency, and streamlining the large-scale manufacturing of porous membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Mengyao Zhong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiajun Yu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chaojie Yu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qingyu Yu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Fanglian Yao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Junjie Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Ueno H, Yamamura S. Fabrication Method for Shape-Controlled 3D Tissue Using High-Porosity Porous Structure. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:160. [PMID: 38391646 PMCID: PMC10885993 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11020160] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Shape-controlled 3D tissues resemble natural living tissues in human and animal bodies and are essential materials for developing and improving technologies in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and biological robotics. In previous studies, shape-controlled 3D tissues were fabricated using scaffold structures or 3D bioprinting techniques. However, controlling the shape of 3D tissues without leaving non-natural materials inside the 3D tissue and efficiently fabricating them remains challenging. In this paper, we propose a novel method for fabricating shape-controlled 3D tissues free of non-natural materials using a flexible high-porosity porous structure (HPPS). The HPPS consisted of a micromesh with pore sizes of 14.87 ± 1.83 μm, lattice widths of 2.24 ± 0.10 μm, thicknesses of 9.96 ± 0.92 μm, porosity of 69.06 ± 3.30%, and an I-shaped microchamber of depth 555.26 ± 11.17 μm. U-87 human glioma cells were cultured in an I-shaped HPPS microchamber for 48 h. After cultivation, the 3D tissue was released within a few seconds while maintaining its I-shape. Specific chemicals, such as proteolytic enzymes, were not used. Moreover, the viability of the released cells composed of shape-controlled 3D tissues free of non-natural materials was above 90%. Therefore, the proposed fabrication method is recommended for shape-controlled 3D tissues free of non-natural materials without applying significant stresses to the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetaka Ueno
- Center for Advanced Medical Engineering Research & Development (CAMED), Kobe University, 1-5-1 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe-city 650-0047, Hyogo, Japan
- Department of Medical Device Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-city 650-0017, Hyogo, Japan
- Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu-city 761-0395, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Shohei Yamamura
- Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu-city 761-0395, Kagawa, Japan
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Madarász M, Fedor FZ, Fekete Z, Rózsa B. Immunohistological responses in mice implanted with Parylene HT - ITO ECoG devices. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1209913. [PMID: 37746144 PMCID: PMC10513038 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1209913] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transparent epidural devices that facilitate the concurrent use of electrophysiology and neuroimaging are arising tools for neuroscience. Testing the biocompatibility and evoked immune response of novel implantable devices is essential to lay down the fundamentals of their extensive application. Here we present an immunohistochemical evaluation of a Parylene HT/indium-tin oxide (ITO) based electrocorticography (ECoG) device, and provide long-term biocompatibility data at three chronic implantation lengths. We implanted Parylene HT/ITO ECoG devices epidurally in 5 mice and evaluated the evoked astroglial response, neuronal density and cortical thickness. We found increased astroglial response in the superficial cortical layers of all mice compared to contralateral unimplanted controls. This difference was largest at the first time point and decreased over time. Neuronal density was lower on the implanted side only at the last time point, while cortical thickness was smaller in the first and second time points, but not at the last. In this study, we present data that confirms the feasibility and chronic use of Parylene HT/ITO ECoG devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Madarász
- BrainVision Center, Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai PhD Program of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Flóra Z. Fedor
- BrainVision Center, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of 3D Functional Network and Dendritic Imaging, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Fekete
- Research Group for Implantable Microsystems, Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
- Sleep Oscillation Research Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Rózsa
- BrainVision Center, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of 3D Functional Network and Dendritic Imaging, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Two-Photon Measurement Technology Research Group, The Faculty of Information Technology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
- Femtonics Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
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Corral-Nájera K, Chauhan G, Serna-Saldívar SO, Martínez-Chapa SO, Aeinehvand MM. Polymeric and biological membranes for organ-on-a-chip devices. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:107. [PMID: 37649779 PMCID: PMC10462672 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00579-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Membranes are fundamental elements within organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms, as they provide adherent cells with support, allow nutrients (and other relevant molecules) to permeate/exchange through membrane pores, and enable the delivery of mechanical or chemical stimuli. Through OOC platforms, physiological processes can be studied in vitro, whereas OOC membranes broaden knowledge of how mechanical and chemical cues affect cells and organs. OOCs with membranes are in vitro microfluidic models that are used to replace animal testing for various applications, such as drug discovery and disease modeling. In this review, the relevance of OOCs with membranes is discussed as well as their scaffold and actuation roles, properties (physical and material), and fabrication methods in different organ models. The purpose was to aid readers with membrane selection for the development of OOCs with specific applications in the fields of mechanistic, pathological, and drug testing studies. Mechanical stimulation from liquid flow and cyclic strain, as well as their effects on the cell's increased physiological relevance (IPR), are described in the first section. The review also contains methods to fabricate synthetic and ECM (extracellular matrix) protein membranes, their characteristics (e.g., thickness and porosity, which can be adjusted depending on the application, as shown in the graphical abstract), and the biological materials used for their coatings. The discussion section joins and describes the roles of membranes for different research purposes and their advantages and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra Corral-Nájera
- School of Engineering and Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849 Mexico
| | - Gaurav Chauhan
- School of Engineering and Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849 Mexico
| | - Sergio O. Serna-Saldívar
- School of Engineering and Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849 Mexico
| | - Sergio O. Martínez-Chapa
- School of Engineering and Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849 Mexico
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Aeinehvand
- School of Engineering and Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, 64849 Mexico
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Kutluk H, Bastounis EE, Constantinou I. Integration of Extracellular Matrices into Organ-on-Chip Systems. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203256. [PMID: 37018430 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can also direct fundamental cell behavior, function, and characteristics. Although the importance of the ECM is well established, the integration of well-controlled ECMs into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) platforms remains challenging and the methods to modulate and assess ECM properties on OoCs remain underdeveloped. In this review, current state-of-the-art design and assessment of in vitro ECM environments is discussed with a focus on their integration into OoCs. Among other things, synthetic and natural hydrogels, as well as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used as substrates, coatings, or cell culture membranes are reviewed in terms of their ability to mimic the native ECM and their accessibility for characterization. The intricate interplay among materials, OoC architecture, and ECM characterization is critically discussed as it significantly complicates the design of ECM-related studies, comparability between works, and reproducibility that can be achieved across research laboratories. Improving the biomimetic nature of OoCs by integrating properly considered ECMs would contribute to their further adoption as replacements for animal models, and precisely tailored ECM properties would promote the use of OoCs in mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazal Kutluk
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), Technical University of Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technical University of Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Effie E Bastounis
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, E8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" EXC 2124, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Iordania Constantinou
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), Technical University of Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technical University of Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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Malik JR, Fletcher CV, Podany AT, Dyavar SR, Scarsi KK, Pais GM, Scheetz MH, Avedissian SN. A novel 4-cell in-vitro blood-brain barrier model and its characterization by confocal microscopy and TEER measurement. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 392:109867. [PMID: 37116621 PMCID: PMC10275325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109867] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective cellular anatomical layer with a dynamic micro-environment, tightly regulating the transport of materials across it. To achieve in-vivo characteristics, an in-vitro BBB model requires the constituent cell types to be layered in an appropriate order. A cost-effective in-vitro BBB model is desired to facilitate central nervous system (CNS) drug penetration studies. Enhanced integrity of tight junctions observed during the in-vitro BBB establishment and post-experiment is essential in these models. We successfully developed an in-vitro BBB model mimicking the in-vivo cell composition and a distinct order of seeding primary human brain cells. Unlike other in-vitro BBB models, our work avoids the need for pre-coated plates for cell adhesion and provides better cell visualization during the procedure. We found that using bovine collagen-I coating, followed by bovine fibronectin coating and poly-L-lysine coating, yields better adhesion and layering of cells on the transwell membrane compared to earlier reported use of collagen and poly-L-lysine only. Our results indicated better cell visibility and imaging with the polyester transwell membrane as well as point to a higher and more stable Trans Endothelial Electrical Resistance values in this plate. In addition, we found that the addition of zinc induced higher claudin 5 expressions in neuronal cells. Dolutegravir, a drug used in the treatment of HIV, is known to appear in moderate concentrations in the CNS. Thus, dolutegravir was used to assess the functionality of the final model and cells. Using primary cells and an in-house coating strategy substantially reduces costs and provides superior imaging of cells and their tight junction protein expression. Our 4-cell-based BBB model is a suitable experimental model for the drug screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johid R Malik
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Courtney V Fletcher
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Anthony T Podany
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Kimberly K Scarsi
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gwendolyn M Pais
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Chicago College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA; Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy Center of Pharmacometric Excellence, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Marc H Scheetz
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Chicago College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA; Midwestern University, College of Pharmacy Center of Pharmacometric Excellence, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Sean N Avedissian
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Optimization of Parylene C and Parylene N thin films for use in cellular co-culture and tissue barrier models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4262. [PMID: 36918711 PMCID: PMC10015097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Parylene has been used widely used as a coating on medical devices. It has also been used to fabricate thin films and porous membranes upon which to grow cells. Porous membranes are integral components of in vitro tissue barrier and co-culture models, and their interaction with cells and tissues affects the performance and physiological relevance of these model systems. Parylene C and Parylene N are two biocompatible Parylene variants with potential for use in these models, but their effect on cellular behavior is not as well understood as more commonly used cell culture substrates, such as tissue culture treated polystyrene and glass. Here, we use a simple approach for benchtop oxygen plasma treatment and investigate the changes in cell spreading and extracellular matrix deposition as well as the physical and chemical changes in material surface properties. Our results support and build on previous findings of positive effects of plasma treatment on Parylene biocompatibility while showing a more pronounced improvement for Parylene C compared to Parylene N. We measured relatively minor changes in surface roughness following plasma treatments, but significant changes in oxygen concentration at the surface persisted for 7 days and was likely the dominant factor in improving cellular behavior. Overall, this study offers facile and relatively low-cost plasma treatment protocols that provide persistent improvements in cell-substrate interactions on Parylene that match and exceed tissue culture polystyrene.
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Wang Y, Duan Y, Tian F, Zhou Z, Liu Y, Wang W, Gao B, Tang Y. Ultrathin and handleable nanofibrous net as a novel biomimetic basement membrane material for endothelial barrier formation. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 219:112775. [PMID: 36108364 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112775] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Many strategies have been adopted to develop porous membranes to reconstitute basement membrane in vitro, which play a key role in the development of in vitro biomimetic models. However, the development of an artificial basement membrane combines cytocompatibility and nano-thickness is still challenging. Herein, a monolayer nanofibrous net patch was fabricated by combining microfabrication and electrospinning as a biomimetic basement membrane material, which was demonstrated for endothelial barrier formation. The nanofibrous net patches with different fiber densities were obtained by controlling electrospinning time. The net was with high porosity and ultrathin thickness approximate to the diameter of nanofibers, which is comparable to that of the native basement membrane. The morphology, proliferation and cell-cell/cell-substrate interactions of endothelial cells on the nanofibrous nets were studied and compared with track-etched polycarbonate membrane and traditional multilayer nanofibers membrane. In addition, the results of TEER measurement and permeability test demonstrated that the endothelial barrier formed on the nanofibrous net patch displayed stronger barrier integrity and function. Therefore, the proposed nanofibrous net patch shows great potential as a novel biomimetic basement membrane, which is promising to be applied for in vitro tissue mimetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Wang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yujie Duan
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Feng Tian
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zehui Zhou
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yurong Liu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenlong Wang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Botao Gao
- Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yadong Tang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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10
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Volpe A, Conte Capodacqua FM, Garzarelli V, Primiceri E, Chiriacò MS, Gaudiuso C, Ferrara F, Ancona A. Femtosecond Laser Fabrication of Microporous Membranes for Biological Applications. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1371. [PMID: 36143994 PMCID: PMC9505411 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of fabricating micrometric pore size membranes is gaining great interest in many applications, from studying cell signaling, to filtration. Currently, many technologies are reported to fabricate such microsystems, the choice of which depends strictly on the substrate material and on the final application. Here, we demonstrate the capability with a single femtosecond laser source and experimental setup to fabricate micromembranes both on polymeric and multilayer metallic substrate, without the need for moulds, mask, and complex facilities. In particular, the flexibility of laser drilling was exploited to obtain microfilters with pore size of 8 and 18 µm in diameter, on metallic and polymeric substrate, respectively, and controlled distribution. For evaluating the possibility to use such laser-fabricated membranes into biological assay, their biocompatibility has been investigated. To this aim, as a proof of concept, we tested the two materials into viability tests. The culture of mammalian cells on these microfabricated membranes were studied showing their compatibility with cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Volpe
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Garzarelli
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Department of Mathematics & Physics E. de Giorgi, University of Salento, Via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | | | | | - Caterina Gaudiuso
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrara
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonio Ancona
- Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 7016 Bari, Italy
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), National Research Council, Via Amendola 173, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Jain P, Rauer SB, Möller M, Singh S. Mimicking the Natural Basement Membrane for Advanced Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3081-3103. [PMID: 35839343 PMCID: PMC9364315 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Advancements in the field of tissue engineering have
led to the
elucidation of physical and chemical characteristics of physiological
basement membranes (BM) as specialized forms of the extracellular
matrix. Efforts to recapitulate the intricate structure and biological
composition of the BM have encountered various advancements due to
its impact on cell fate, function, and regulation. More attention
has been paid to synthesizing biocompatible and biofunctional fibrillar
scaffolds that closely mimic the natural BM. Specific modifications
in biomimetic BM have paved the way for the development of in vitro models like alveolar-capillary barrier, airway
models, skin, blood-brain barrier, kidney barrier, and metastatic
models, which can be used for personalized drug screening, understanding
physiological and pathological pathways, and tissue implants. In this
Review, we focus on the structure, composition, and functions of in vivo BM and the ongoing efforts to mimic it synthetically.
Light has been shed on the advantages and limitations of various forms
of biomimetic BM scaffolds including porous polymeric membranes, hydrogels,
and electrospun membranes This Review further elaborates and justifies
the significance of BM mimics in tissue engineering, in particular
in the development of in vitro organ model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja Jain
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | | | - Martin Möller
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Smriti Singh
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69028, Germany
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Mancinelli E, Takuma M, Fujie T, Pensabene V. Recreating cellular barriers in human microphysiological systems in-vitro. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022; 2022:3923-3926. [PMID: 36086504 DOI: 10.1109/embc48229.2022.9870981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Within cellular barriers, cells are separated by basement membranes (BMs), nanometer-thick extracellular matrix layers. In existing in-vitro cellular-barrier models, cell-to-cell signaling can be preserved by culturing different cells in individual chambers separated by a semipermeable membrane. Their structure does not always replicate the BM thickness nor diffusion through it. Here, a porous polymeric nanofilm made of poly(D-L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) is proposed to recreate the BM in a microfluidic blood-brain-barrier model. Nanofilms showed an average thickness of [Formula: see text] and a maximum pore diameter of 1.6 μm. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on PDLLA. After 7 days, viability was >95% and cell morphology did not show relevant differences with HUVECs grown on control substrates. A protocol for suspending the nanofilm between 2 microfluidic chambers was identified and showed no leakage and good sealing. Clinical Relevance- Preclinical models of cellular barriers are a key step towards a deeper understanding of their roles in pathogenesis of various diseases: a physiologically relevant microfluidic model of the blood brain barrier (BBB) allows high-throughput investigations of BBB contribution in neurodegenerative diseases and cruelty-free screenings of drugs targeting the brain.
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13
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Nadine S, Chung A, Diltemiz SE, Yasuda B, Lee C, Hosseini V, Karamikamkar S, de Barros NR, Mandal K, Advani S, Zamanian BB, Mecwan M, Zhu Y, Mofidfar M, Zare MR, Mano J, Dokmeci MR, Alambeigi F, Ahadian S. Advances in microfabrication technologies in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Artif Organs 2022; 46:E211-E243. [PMID: 35349178 DOI: 10.1111/aor.14232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue engineering provides various strategies to fabricate an appropriate microenvironment to support the repair and regeneration of lost or damaged tissues. In this matter, several technologies have been implemented to construct close-to-native three-dimensional structures at numerous physiological scales, which are essential to confer the functional characteristics of living tissues. METHODS In this article, we review a variety of microfabrication technologies that are currently utilized for several tissue engineering applications, such as soft lithography, microneedles, templated and self-assembly of microstructures, microfluidics, fiber spinning, and bioprinting. RESULTS These technologies have considerably helped us to precisely manipulate cells or cellular constructs for the fabrication of biomimetic tissues and organs. Although currently available tissues still lack some crucial functionalities, including vascular networks, innervation, and lymphatic system, microfabrication strategies are being proposed to overcome these issues. Moreover, the microfabrication techniques that have progressed to the preclinical stage are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS This article aims to highlight the advantages and drawbacks of each technique and areas of further research for a more comprehensive and evolving understanding of microfabrication techniques in terms of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nadine
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA.,CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ada Chung
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Brooke Yasuda
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Charles Lee
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.,Station 1, Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vahid Hosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Solmaz Karamikamkar
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Kalpana Mandal
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shailesh Advani
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Marvin Mecwan
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yangzhi Zhu
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mohammad Mofidfar
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | - João Mano
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mehmet Remzi Dokmeci
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Farshid Alambeigi
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
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14
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Doi K, Kimura H, Matsunaga YT, Fujii T, Nangaku M. Glomerulus-on-a-Chip: Current Insights and Future Potential Towards Recapitulating Selectively Permeable Filtration Systems. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis 2022; 15:85-101. [PMID: 35299832 PMCID: PMC8922329 DOI: 10.2147/ijnrd.s344725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Glomerulopathy, characterized by a dysfunctional glomerular capillary wall, results in proteinuria, leading to end-stage renal failure and poor clinical outcomes, including renal death and increased overall mortality. Conventional glomerulopathy research, including drug discovery, has mostly relied on animal experiments because in-vitro glomerulus models, capable of evaluating functional selective permeability, was unavailable in conventional in-vitro cell culture systems. However, animal experiments have limitations, including time- and cost-consuming, multi-organ effects, unstable reproducibility, inter-species reliability, and the social situation in the EU and US, where animal experiments have been discouraged. Glomerulus-on-a-chip, a new in-vitro organ model, has recently been developed in the field of organ-on-a-chip research based on microfluidic device technology. In the glomerulus-on-a-chip, the podocytes and endothelial cells are co-cultured in a microfluidic device with physical stimuli that mimic the physiological environment to enhance cell function to construct a functional filtration barrier, which can be assessed by permeability assays using fluorescently labeled molecules including inulin and albumin. A combination of this glomerulus-on-a chip technology with the culture technology to induce podocytes and endothelial cells from the human pluripotent stem cells could provide an alternative organ model and solve the issue of animal experiments. Additionally, previous experiments have verified the difference in the leakage of albumin using differentiated podocytes derived from patients with Alport syndrome, such that it could be applied to intractable hereditary glomerulopathy models. In this review, we provide an overview of the features of the existing glomerulus-on-a-chip systems, focusing on how they can address selective permeability verification tests, and the challenges they involved. We finally discuss the future approaches that should be developed for solving those challenges and allow further improvement of glomerulus-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Doi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Masaomi Nangaku
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Vitus V, Ibrahim F, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS. Modelling of Stem Cells Microenvironment Using Carbon-Based Scaffold for Tissue Engineering Application-A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:4058. [PMID: 34883564 PMCID: PMC8658938 DOI: 10.3390/polym13234058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A scaffold is a crucial biological substitute designed to aid the treatment of damaged tissue caused by trauma and disease. Various scaffolds are developed with different materials, known as biomaterials, and have shown to be a potential tool to facilitate in vitro cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Among the materials studied, carbon materials are potential biomaterials that can be used to develop scaffolds for cell growth. Recently, many researchers have attempted to build a scaffold following the origin of the tissue cell by mimicking the pattern of their extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, extensive studies were performed on the various parameters that could influence cell behaviour. Previous studies have shown that various factors should be considered in scaffold production, including the porosity, pore size, topography, mechanical properties, wettability, and electroconductivity, which are essential in facilitating cellular response on the scaffold. These interferential factors will help determine the appropriate architecture of the carbon-based scaffold, influencing stem cell (SC) response. Hence, this paper reviews the potential of carbon as a biomaterial for scaffold development. This paper also discusses several crucial factors that can influence the feasibility of the carbon-based scaffold architecture in supporting the efficacy and viability of SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vieralynda Vitus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (V.V.); (F.I.)
- Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (V.V.); (F.I.)
- Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Centre for Printable Electronics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Wan Safwani Wan Kamarul Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; (V.V.); (F.I.)
- Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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16
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Sun M, Han K, Hu R, Liu D, Fu W, Liu W. Advances in Micro/Nanoporous Membranes for Biomedical Engineering. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001545. [PMID: 33511718 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Porous membrane materials at the micro/nanoscale have exhibited practical and potential value for extensive biological and medical applications associated with filtration and isolation, cell separation and sorting, micro-arrangement, in-vitro tissue reconstruction, high-throughput manipulation and analysis, and real-time sensing. Herein, an overview of technological development of micro/nanoporous membranes (M/N-PMs) is provided. Various membrane types and the progress documented in membrane fabrication techniques, including the electrochemical-etching, laser-based technology, microcontact printing, electron beam lithography, imprinting, capillary force lithography, spin coating, and microfluidic molding are described. Their key features, achievements, and limitations associated with micro/nanoporous membrane (M/N-PM) preparation are discussed. The recently popularized applications of M/N-PMs in biomedical engineering involving the separation of cells and biomolecules, bioparticle operations, biomimicking, micropatterning, bioassay, and biosensing are explored too. Finally, the challenges that need to be overcome for M/N-PM fabrication and future applications are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Sun
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Kai Han
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Rui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Wenzhu Fu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
| | - Wenming Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science Central South University Changsha Hunan 410013 China
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17
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Abstract
The corneal endothelium is the innermost layer of the cornea that selectively pumps ions and metabolites and regulates the hydration level of the cornea, ensuring its transparency. Trauma or disease affecting human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) can result in major imbalances of such transport activity with consequent deterioration or loss of vision. Since tissue transplantation from deceased donors is only available to a fraction of patients worldwide, alternative solutions are urgently needed. Cell therapy approaches, in particular by attempting to expand primary culture of hCECs in vitro, aim to tackle this issue. However, existing cell culture protocols result in limited expansion of this cell type. Recent studies in this field have shown that topographical features with specific dimensions and shapes could improve the efficacy of hCEC expansion. Therefore, potential solutions to overcome the limitation of the conventional culture of hCECs may include recreating nanometer scale topographies (nanotopographies) that mimic essential biophysical cues present in their native environment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and understanding of the effect of substrate topographies on the response of hCECs. Moreover, we also review the latest developments for the nanofabrication of such bio-instructive cell substrates.
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18
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Tu KH, Yu LS, Sie ZH, Hsu HY, Al-Jamal KT, Wang JTW, Chiang YY. Development of Real-Time Transendothelial Electrical Resistance Monitoring for an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier System. MICROMACHINES 2020; 12:mi12010037. [PMID: 33396953 PMCID: PMC7824195 DOI: 10.3390/mi12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures and organs-on-a-chip have been developed to construct microenvironments that resemble the environment within the human body and to provide a platform that enables clear observation and accurate assessments of cell behavior. However, direct observation of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) has been challenging. To improve the efficiency in monitoring the cell development in organs-on-a-chip, in this study, we designed and integrated commercially available TEER measurement electrodes into an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-chip system to quantify TEER variation. Moreover, a flowing culture medium was added to the monolayered cells to simulate the promotion of continuous shear stress on cerebrovascular cells. Compared with static 3D cell culture, the proposed BBB-on-chip integrated with electrodes could measure TEER in a real-time manner over a long period. It also allowed cell growth angle measurement, providing instant reports of cell growth information online. Overall, the results demonstrated that the developed system can aid in the quantification of the continuous cell-pattern variations for future studies in drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Hong Tu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402701, Taiwan; (K.-H.T.); (Z.-H.S.); (H.-Y.H.)
| | - Ling-Shan Yu
- Rapid Screening Research Center for Toxicology and Biomedicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 813016, Taiwan;
| | - Zong-Han Sie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402701, Taiwan; (K.-H.T.); (Z.-H.S.); (H.-Y.H.)
| | - Han-Yi Hsu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402701, Taiwan; (K.-H.T.); (Z.-H.S.); (H.-Y.H.)
| | - Khuloud T. Al-Jamal
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, UK; (K.T.A.-J.); (J.T.-W.W.)
| | - Julie Tzu-Wen Wang
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London SE5 9NU, UK; (K.T.A.-J.); (J.T.-W.W.)
| | - Ya-Yu Chiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402701, Taiwan; (K.-H.T.); (Z.-H.S.); (H.-Y.H.)
- i-Center for Advanced Science and Technology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2284-0433
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19
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Gholizadeh S, Allahyari Z, Carter R, Delgadillo LF, Blaquiere M, Nouguier-Morin F, Marchi N, Gaborski TR. Robust and Gradient Thickness Porous Membranes for In Vitro Modeling of Physiological Barriers. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 2020; 5:2000474. [PMID: 33709013 PMCID: PMC7942760 DOI: 10.1002/admt.202000474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Porous membranes are fundamental elements for tissue-chip barrier and co-culture models. However, the exaggerated thickness of commonly available membranes may represent a stumbling block impeding a more accurate in vitro modeling. Existing techniques to fabricate membranes such as solvent cast, spin-coating, sputtering and PE-CVD result in uniform thickness films. Here, we developed a robust method to generate ultrathin porous parylene C (UPP) membranes not just with precise thicknesses down to 300 nm, but with variable gradients in thicknesses, while at the same time having porosities up to 25%. We also show surface etching and increased roughness lead to improved cell attachment. Next, we examined the mechanical properties of UPP membranes with varying porosity and thickness and fit our data to previously published models, which can help determine practical upper limits of porosity and lower limits of thickness. Lastly, we validate a straightforward approach allowing the successful integration of the UPP membranes into a prototyped 3D-printed scaffold, demonstrating mechanical robustness and allowing cell adhesion under varying flow conditions. Collectively, our results support the integration and the use of UPP membranes to examine cell-cell interaction in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Gholizadeh
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Zahra Allahyari
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Robert Carter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Luis F Delgadillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14620, USA
| | - Marine Blaquiere
- Cerebrovascular and Glia Research, Institute of Functional Genomics (CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, and University of Montpellier), Montpellier, 34094, France
| | - Frederic Nouguier-Morin
- Cerebrovascular and Glia Research, Institute of Functional Genomics (CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, and University of Montpellier), Montpellier, 34094, France
| | - Nicola Marchi
- Cerebrovascular and Glia Research, Institute of Functional Genomics (CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, and University of Montpellier), Montpellier, 34094, France
| | - Thomas R Gaborski
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
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20
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Salminen AT, Allahyari Z, Gholizadeh S, McCloskey MC, Ajalik R, Cottle RN, Gaborski TR, McGrath JL. In vitro Studies of Transendothelial Migration for Biological and Drug Discovery. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:600616. [PMID: 35047883 PMCID: PMC8757899 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.600616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases and cancer metastases lack concrete pharmaceuticals for their effective treatment despite great strides in advancing our understanding of disease progression. One feature of these disease pathogeneses that remains to be fully explored, both biologically and pharmaceutically, is the passage of cancer and immune cells from the blood to the underlying tissue in the process of extravasation. Regardless of migratory cell type, all steps in extravasation involve molecular interactions that serve as a rich landscape of targets for pharmaceutical inhibition or promotion. Transendothelial migration (TEM), or the migration of the cell through the vascular endothelium, is a particularly promising area of interest as it constitutes the final and most involved step in the extravasation cascade. While in vivo models of cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases have contributed to our current understanding of TEM, the knowledge surrounding this phenomenon would be significantly lacking without the use of in vitro platforms. In addition to the ease of use, low cost, and high controllability, in vitro platforms permit the use of human cell lines to represent certain features of disease pathology better, as seen in the clinic. These benefits over traditional pre-clinical models for efficacy and toxicity testing are especially important in the modern pursuit of novel drug candidates. Here, we review the cellular and molecular events involved in leukocyte and cancer cell extravasation, with a keen focus on TEM, as discovered by seminal and progressive in vitro platforms. In vitro studies of TEM, specifically, showcase the great experimental progress at the lab bench and highlight the historical success of in vitro platforms for biological discovery. This success shows the potential for applying these platforms for pharmaceutical compound screening. In addition to immune and cancer cell TEM, we discuss the promise of hepatocyte transplantation, a process in which systemically delivered hepatocytes must transmigrate across the liver sinusoidal endothelium to successfully engraft and restore liver function. Lastly, we concisely summarize the evolving field of porous membranes for the study of TEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec T. Salminen
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Zahra Allahyari
- Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Shayan Gholizadeh
- Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Molly C. McCloskey
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Raquel Ajalik
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Renee N. Cottle
- Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Thomas R. Gaborski
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - James L. McGrath
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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21
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Mireles M, Soule CW, Dehghani M, Gaborski TR. Use of Nanosphere Self-Assembly to Pattern Nanoporous Membranes for the Study of Extracellular Vesicles. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2020; 2:4427-4436. [PMID: 33693309 PMCID: PMC7943038 DOI: 10.1039/d0na00142b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale biocomponents naturally released by cells, such as extracellular vesicles (EVs), have recently gained interest due to their therapeutic and diagnostic potential. Membrane based isolation and co-culture systems have been utilized in an effort to study EVs and their effects. Nevertheless, improved platforms for the study of small EVs are still needed. Suitable membranes, for isolation and co-culture systems, require pore sizes to reach into the nanoscale. These pore sizes cannot be achieved through traditional lithographic techniques and conventional thick nanoporous membranes commonly exhibit low permeability. Here we utilized nanospheres, similar in size and shape to the targeted small EVs, as patterning features for the fabrication of freestanding SiN membranes (120 nm thick) released in minutes through a sacrificial ZnO layer. We evaluated the feasibility of separating subpopulation of EVs based on size using these membranes. The membrane used here showed an effective size cut-off of 300 nm with the majority of the EVs ≤200 nm. This work provides a convenient platform with great potential for studying subpopulations of EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Mireles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNYUSA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of RochesterRochesterNYUSA
| | - Cody W. Soule
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNYUSA
| | - Mehdi Dehghani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNYUSA
| | - Thomas R. Gaborski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNYUSA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of RochesterRochesterNYUSA
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22
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Rapid Fabrication of Membrane-Integrated Thermoplastic Elastomer Microfluidic Devices. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11080731. [PMID: 32731570 PMCID: PMC7463978 DOI: 10.3390/mi11080731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leveraging the advantageous material properties of recently developed soft thermoplastic elastomer materials, this work presents the facile and rapid fabrication of composite membrane-integrated microfluidic devices consisting of FlexdymTM polymer and commercially available porous polycarbonate membranes. The three-layer devices can be fabricated in under 2.5 h, consisting of a 2-min hot embossing cycle, conformal contact between device layers and a low-temperature baking step. The strength of the FlexdymTM-polycarbonate seal was characterized using a specialized microfluidic delamination device and an automated pressure controller configuration, offering a standardized and high-throughput method of microfluidic burst testing. Given a minimum bonding distance of 200 μm, the materials showed bonding that reliably withstood pressures of 500 mbar and above, which is sufficient for most microfluidic cell culture applications. Bonding was also stable when subjected to long term pressurization (10 h) and repeated use (10,000 pressure cycles). Cell culture trials confirmed good cell adhesion and sustained culture of human dermal fibroblasts on a polycarbonate membrane inside the device channels over the course of one week. In comparison to existing porous membrane-based microfluidic platforms of this configuration, most often made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), these devices offer a streamlined fabrication methodology with materials having favourable properties for cell culture applications and the potential for implementation in barrier model organ-on-chips.
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23
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Sabirova A, Pisig F, Rayapuram N, Hirt H, Nunes SP. Nanofabrication of Isoporous Membranes for Cell Fractionation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6138. [PMID: 32273573 PMCID: PMC7145805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62937-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fractionations and other biological separations frequently require several steps. They could be much more effectively done by filtration, if isoporous membranes would be available with high pore density, and sharp pore size distribution in the micro- and nanoscale. We propose a combination of two scalable methods, photolithography and dry reactive ion etching, to fabricate a series of polyester membranes with isopores of size 0.7 to 50 μm and high pore density with a demonstrated total area of 38.5 cm2. The membranes have pore sizes in the micro- and submicro-range, and pore density 10-fold higher than track-etched analogues, which are the only commercially available isoporous polymeric films. Permeances of 220,000 L m−2 h−1bar−1 were measured with pore size 787 nm. The method does not require organic solvents and can be applied to many homopolymeric materials. The pore reduction from 2 to 0.7 μm was obtained by adding a step of chemical vapor deposition. The isoporous system was successfully demonstrated for the organelle fractionation of Arabidopsis homogenates and could be potentially extended to other biological fractionations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainur Sabirova
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Florencio Pisig
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Nanofabrication Core Laboratory, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naganand Rayapuram
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Center for Desert Agriculture, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heribert Hirt
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Center for Desert Agriculture, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suzana P Nunes
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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Sumathy B, Nair PD. Keratinocytes-hair follicle bulge stem cells-fibroblasts co-cultures on a tri-layer skin equivalent derived from gelatin/PEG methacrylate nanofibers. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION 2020; 31:869-894. [DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2020.1725861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Babitha Sumathy
- Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Prabha D Nair
- Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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25
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Hudecz D, Khire T, Chung HL, Adumeau L, Glavin D, Luke E, Nielsen MS, Dawson KA, McGrath JL, Yan Y. Ultrathin Silicon Membranes for in Situ Optical Analysis of Nanoparticle Translocation across a Human Blood-Brain Barrier Model. ACS NANO 2020; 14:1111-1122. [PMID: 31914314 PMCID: PMC7049097 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b08870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Here we present a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model that enables high-resolution imaging of nanoparticle (NP) interactions with endothelial cells and the capture of rare NP translocation events. The enabling technology is an ultrathin silicon nitride (SiN) membrane (0.5 μm pore size, 20% porosity, 400 nm thickness) integrated into a dual-chamber platform that facilitates imaging at low working distances (∼50 μm). The platform, the μSiM-BBB (microfluidic silicon membrane-BBB), features human brain endothelial cells and primary astrocytes grown on opposite sides of the membrane. The human brain endothelial cells form tight junctions on the ultrathin membranes and exhibit a significantly higher resistance to FITC-dextran diffusion than commercial membranes. The enhanced optical properties of the SiN membrane allow high-resolution live-cell imaging of three types of NPs, namely, 40 nm PS-COOH, 100 nm PS-COOH, and apolipoprotein E-conjugated 100 nm SiO2, interacting with the BBB. Despite the excellent barrier properties of the endothelial layer, we are able to document rare NP translocation events of NPs localized to lysosomal compartments of astrocytes on the "brain side" of the device. Although the translocation is always low, our data suggest that size and targeting ligand are important parameters for NP translocation across the BBB. As a platform that enables the detection of rare transmission across tight BBB layers, the μSiM-BBB is an important tool for the design of nanoparticle-based delivery of drugs to the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diána Hudecz
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Present address: Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tejas Khire
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Hung Li Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Laurent Adumeau
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dale Glavin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Emma Luke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Morten S. Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation, Research Initiative on Brain Barriers and Drug Delivery, Scherfigsvej 7, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kenneth A. Dawson
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - James L. McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Yan Yan
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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26
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Micropatterning Method for Porous Materials Using the Difference of the Glass Transition Temperature between Exposed and Unexposed Areas of a Thick-Photoresist. MICROMACHINES 2019; 11:mi11010054. [PMID: 31906208 PMCID: PMC7019882 DOI: 10.3390/mi11010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A cell culture on a scaffold has the advantages of functionality and easy handling, because the geometry of the cellular tissue is controlled by designing the scaffold. To create complex cellular tissue, scaffolds should be complex two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structures. However, it is difficult to fabricate a scaffold with a 2D and 3D structure because the shape, size, and fabrication processes of a 2D structure in creating a cell layer, and a 3D structure containing cells, are different. In this research, we propose a micropatterning method for porous materials using the difference of the glass transition temperature between exposed and unexposed areas of a thick-photoresist. Since the proposed method does not require a vacuum, high temperature, or high voltage, it can be used for fabricating various structures with a wide range of scales, regardless of the materials used. Additionally, the patterning area can be fabricated accurately by photolithography. To evaluate the proposed method, a membrane integrated scaffold (MIS) with a 2D porous membrane and 3D porous material was fabricated. The MIS had a porous membrane with a pore size of 4 μm or less, which was impermeable to cells, and a porous material which was capable of containing cells. By seeding HUVECs and HeLa cells on each side of the MIS, the cellular tissue was formed with the designed geometry.
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27
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Sitia L, Catelani T, Guarnieri D, Pompa PP. In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models for Nanomedicine: Particle-Specific Effects and Methodological Drawbacks. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:3279-3289. [PMID: 35030770 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Predicting the therapeutic efficacy of a nanocarrier, in a rapid and cost-effective way, is pivotal for the drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). In this context, in vitro testing platforms, like the transwell systems, offer numerous advantages to study the passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), such as overcoming ethical and methodological issues of in vivo models. However, the use of different transwell filters and nanocarriers with various physical-chemical features makes it difficult to assess the nanocarrier efficacy and achieve data reproducibility. In this work, we performed a systematic study to elucidate the role of the most widely used transwell filters in affecting the passage of nanocarriers, as a function of filter pore size and density. In particular, the transport of carboxyl- and amine-modified 100 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs), chosen as model nanocarriers, was quantified and compared to the behavior of Lucifer yellow (LY), a molecular marker of paracellular transport. Results indicate that the filter type affects the growth and formation of the confluent endothelial barrier, as well as the transport of NPs. Interestingly, the in situ dispersion of NPs was found to play a key role in governing their passage through the filters, both in absence and in presence of the cellular barrier. By framing the underlying nanobiointeractions, we found that particle-specific effects modulated cellular uptake and barrier intracellular distribution, eventually governing transcytosis through their interplay with "size exclusion effects" by the porous filters. This study highlights the importance of a careful evaluation of the physical-chemical profile of the tested nanocarrier along with filter parameters for a correct methodological approach to test BBB permeability in nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopoldo Sitia
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco″, Università Degli Studi di Milano, via G. B. Grassi 74, Milano 20157, Italy
| | - Tiziano Catelani
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy.,Piattaforma Interdipartimentale di Microscopia, Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy
| | - Daniela Guarnieri
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia "A. Zambelli", Università di Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano, Salerno I-84084, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pompa
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
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Raos BJ, Simpson MC, Doyle CS, Graham ES, Unsworth CP. Evaluation of parylene derivatives for use as biomaterials for human astrocyte cell patterning. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218850. [PMID: 31237927 PMCID: PMC6592558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell patterning is becoming increasingly popular in neuroscience because it allows for the control in the location and connectivity of cells. A recently developed cell patterning technology uses patterns of an organic polymer, parylene-C, on a background of SiO2. When cells are cultured on the parylene-C/SiO2 substrate they conform to the underlying parylene-C geometry. Parylene-C is, however, just one member of a family of parylene polymers that have varying chemical and physical properties. In this work, we investigate whether two commercially available mainstream parylene derivatives, parylene-D, parylene-N and a more recent parylene derivative, parylene-HT to determine if they enable higher fidelity hNT astrocyte cell patterning compared to parylene-C. We demonstrate that all parylene derivatives are compatible with the existing laser fabrication method. We then demonstrate that parylene-HT, parylene-D and parylene-N are suitable for use as an hNT astrocyte cell attractive substrate and result in an equal quality of patterning compared to parylene-C. This work supports the use of alternative parylene derivatives for applications where their different physical and chemical properties are more suitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad J. Raos
- Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - M. Cather Simpson
- Departments of Chemistry & Physics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
- The Dodd Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Colin S. Doyle
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - E. Scott Graham
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, and Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charles P. Unsworth
- Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
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29
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Kenney RM, Loeser A, Whitman NA, Lockett MR. Paper-based Transwell assays: an inexpensive alternative to study cellular invasion. Analyst 2018; 144:206-211. [PMID: 30328422 PMCID: PMC6296866 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01157e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cellular movement is essential in the formation and maintenance of healthy tissues as well as in disease progression such as tumor metastasis. In this work, we describe a paper-based Transwell assay capable of quantifying cellular invasion through an extracellular matrix. The paper-based Transwell assays generate similar datasets, with equivalent reproducibility, to commercially available Transwell assays. With different culture configurations, we quantify invasion: upon addition of an exogenous factor or in the presence of medium obtained from other cell types, in an indirect or direct co-culture format whose medium composition is dynamically changing, and in a single-zone or parallel (96-zone) format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Kenney
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Adam Loeser
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Nathan A Whitman
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
| | - Matthew R Lockett
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA. and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA
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30
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Rathod ML, Ahn J, Saha B, Purwar P, Lee Y, Jeon NL, Lee J. PDMS Sylgard 527-Based Freely Suspended Ultrathin Membranes Exhibiting Mechanistic Characteristics of Vascular Basement Membranes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:40388-40400. [PMID: 30360091 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past, significant effort has been made to develop ultrathin membranes exhibiting physiologically relevant mechanical properties, such as thickness and elasticity of native basement membranes. However, most of these fabricated membranes have a relatively high elastic modulus, ∼MPa-GPa, relevant only to retinal and epithelial basement membranes. Vascular basement membranes exhibiting relatively low elastic modulus, ∼kPa, on the contrary, have seldom been mimicked. Membranes demonstrating high compliance, with moduli ranging in ∼kPa along with sub-microscale thicknesses have rarely been reported, and would be ideal to mimic vascular basement membranes in vitro. To address this, we fabricate ultrathin membranes demonstrating the mechanistic features exhibited by their vascular biological counterparts. Salient features of the fabricated ultrathin membranes include free suspension, physiologically relevant thickness ∼sub-micrometers, relatively low modulus ∼kPa, and sufficiently large culture area ∼20 mm2. To fabricate such ultrathin membranes, undiluted PDMS Sylgard 527 was utilized as opposed to the conventional diluted polymer-solvent mixture approach. In addition, the necessity to have a sacrificial layer for releasing membranes from the underlying substrates was also eliminated in our approach. The novelty of our work lies in achieving the distinct combination of membranes having thickness in sub-micrometers and the associated elasticity in kilopascal using undiluted polymer, which past approaches with dilution have not been able to accomplish. The ultrathin membranes with average thickness of 972 nm (thick) and 570 nm (thin) were estimated to have an elastic modulus of 45 and 214 kPa, respectively. Contact angle measurements revealed the ultrathin membranes exhibited hybrophobic characteristics in unpeeled state and transformed to hydrophilic behavior when freely suspended. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured on the polymeric ultrathin membranes, and the temporal cell response to change in local compliance of the membranes was studied by evaluating the cell spread area, density, percentage area coverage, and spread rate. After 24 h, single cells, pairs, and group of three to four cells were noticed on highly compliant thick membranes, having average thickness of 972 nm and modulus of 45 kPa. On the contrary, the cell monolayer was noted on the glass slide acting as a control. For the thin membranes featuring average thickness of 570 nm and modulus of 214 kPa, the cells tend to exhibit response similar to that on control with initiation of monolayer formation. Our results indicate, the local compliance, in turn, the membrane thickness governs the cell behavior and this can have vital implications during disease initiation and progression, wound healing, and cancer cell metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitesh L Rathod
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
| | - Jungho Ahn
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Biswajit Saha
- Chemical Engineering Department , National Institute of Technology , Rourkela , Odisha , India 769008
| | - Prashant Purwar
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
| | - Yejin Lee
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
| | - Junghoon Lee
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea
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31
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Qiu X, Lombardo JA, Westerhof TM, Pennell M, Ng A, Alshetaiwi H, Luna BM, Nelson EL, Kessenbrock K, Hui EE, Haun JB. Microfluidic filter device with nylon mesh membranes efficiently dissociates cell aggregates and digested tissue into single cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2776-2786. [PMID: 30090895 PMCID: PMC6171522 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00507a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Tissues are increasingly being analyzed at the single cell level in order to characterize cellular diversity and identify rare cell types. Single cell analysis efforts are greatly limited, however, by the need to first break down tissues into single cell suspensions. Current dissociation methods are inefficient, leaving a significant portion of the tissue as aggregates that are filtered away or left to confound results. Here, we present a simple and inexpensive microfluidic device that simultaneously filters large tissue fragments and dissociates smaller aggregates into single cells, thereby improving single cell yield and purity. The device incorporates two nylon mesh membranes with well-defined, micron-sized pores that operate on aggregates of different size scales. We also designed the device so that the first filtration could be performed under tangential flow to minimize clogging. Using cancer cell lines, we demonstrated that aggregates were effectively dissociated using high flow rates and pore sizes that were smaller than a single cell. However, pore sizes that were less than half the cell size caused significant damage. We then improved results by passing the sample through two filter devices in series, with single cell yield and purity predominantly determined by the pore size of the second membrane. Next, we optimized performance using minced and digested murine kidney tissue samples, and determined that the combination of 50 and 15 μm membranes was optimal. Finally, we integrated these two membranes into a single filter device and performed validation experiments using minced and digested murine kidney, liver, and mammary tumor tissue samples. The dual membrane microfluidic filter device increased single cell numbers by at least 3-fold for each tissue type, and in some cases by more than 10-fold. These results were obtained in minutes without affecting cell viability, and additional filtering would not be required prior to downstream applications. In future work, we will create complete tissue analysis platforms by integrating the dual membrane microfluidic filter device with additional upstream tissue processing technologies, as well as downstream operations such as cell sorting and detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, 3107 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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32
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Quirós-Solano WF, Gaio N, Stassen OMJA, Arik YB, Silvestri C, Van Engeland NCA, Van der Meer A, Passier R, Sahlgren CM, Bouten CVC, van den Berg A, Dekker R, Sarro PM. Microfabricated tuneable and transferable porous PDMS membranes for Organs-on-Chips. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13524. [PMID: 30202042 PMCID: PMC6131253 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31912-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a novel and highly reproducible process to fabricate transferable porous PDMS membranes for PDMS-based Organs-on-Chips (OOCs) using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication technologies. Porous PDMS membranes with pore sizes down to 2.0 μm in diameter and a wide porosity range (2-65%) can be fabricated. To overcome issues normally faced when using replica moulding and extend the applicability to most OOCs and improve their scalability and reproducibility, the process includes a sacrificial layer to easily transfer the membranes from a silicon carrier to any PDMS-based OOC. The highly reliable fabrication and transfer method does not need of manual handling to define the pore features (size, distribution), allowing very thin (<10 μm) functional membranes to be transferred at chip level with a high success rate (85%). The viability of cell culturing on the porous membranes was assessed by culturing two different cell types on transferred membranes in two different OOCs. Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) and MDA-MB-231 (MDA) cells were successfully cultured confirming the viability of cell culturing and the biocompatibility of the membranes. The results demonstrate the potential of controlling the porous membrane features to study cell mechanisms such as transmigrations, monolayer formation, and barrier function. The high control over the membrane characteristics might consequently allow to intentionally trigger or prevent certain cellular responses or mechanisms when studying human physiology and pathology using OOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- W F Quirós-Solano
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Microelectronics, Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM), Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands.
| | - N Gaio
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Microelectronics, Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM), Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands
- BIOND Solutions B.V., Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands
| | - O M J A Stassen
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology (STEM), Eindhoven, 5600, MB, The Netherlands
| | - Y B Arik
- University of Twente, Applied Stem Cell Technologies, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Enschede, 7500, AE, The Netherlands
- University of Twente, BIOS Lab on a Chip group, MIRA and MESA, Institute for Nanotechnology, Enschede, 7500, AE, The Netherlands
| | - C Silvestri
- BIOND Solutions B.V., Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands
| | - N C A Van Engeland
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology (STEM), Eindhoven, 5600, MB, The Netherlands
- Abo Akademi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Molecular Biosciences, Turku, FI-20500, Finland
| | - A Van der Meer
- University of Twente, Applied Stem Cell Technologies, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Enschede, 7500, AE, The Netherlands
| | - R Passier
- University of Twente, Applied Stem Cell Technologies, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, Enschede, 7500, AE, The Netherlands
| | - C M Sahlgren
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology (STEM), Eindhoven, 5600, MB, The Netherlands
- Abo Akademi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Molecular Biosciences, Turku, FI-20500, Finland
| | - C V C Bouten
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology (STEM), Eindhoven, 5600, MB, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, 5600, MB, The Netherlands
| | - A van den Berg
- University of Twente, BIOS Lab on a Chip group, MIRA and MESA, Institute for Nanotechnology, Enschede, 7500, AE, The Netherlands
| | - R Dekker
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Microelectronics, Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM), Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands
- Phillips, Philips Research, Eindhoven, 5656, AE, The Netherlands
| | - P M Sarro
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Microelectronics, Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM), Delft, 2628, CD, The Netherlands
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33
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Fröhlich E. Comparison of conventional and advanced in vitro models in the toxicity testing of nanoparticles. ARTIFICIAL CELLS, NANOMEDICINE, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 46:1091-1107. [PMID: 29956556 PMCID: PMC6214528 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2018.1479709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a wide variety of nanoparticles (NPs) present in the environment, in consumer, health and medical products, and in food. Conventional cytotoxicity testing compared to animal testing is less expensive, faster and avoids ethical problems at the expense of a lower predictive value. New cellular models and exposure conditions have been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional cell culture and obtain more predictive data. The use of three-dimensional culture, co-culture and inclusion of mechanical stimulation can provide physiologically more relevant culture conditions. These systems are particularly relevant for oral, respiratory and intravenous exposure to NPs and it may be assumed that physiologically relevant application of the NPs can improve the predictive value of in vitro testing. Various groups have used advanced culture and exposure systems, but few direct comparisons between data from conventional cultures and from advanced systems exist. In silico models may present another option to predict human health risk by NPs without using animal studies. In the absence of validation, the question whether these alternative models provide more predictive data than conventional testing remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore Fröhlich
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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34
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Chung HH, Mireles M, Kwarta BJ, Gaborski TR. Use of porous membranes in tissue barrier and co-culture models. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:1671-1689. [PMID: 29845145 PMCID: PMC5997570 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc01248a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Porous membranes enable the partitioning of cellular microenvironments in vitro, while still allowing physical and biochemical crosstalk between cells, a feature that is often necessary for recapitulating physiological functions. This article provides an overview of the different membranes used in tissue barrier and cellular co-culture models with a focus on experimental design and control of these systems. Specifically, we discuss how the structural, mechanical, chemical, and even the optical and transport properties of different membranes bestow specific advantages and disadvantages through the context of physiological relevance. This review also explores how membrane pore properties affect perfusion and solute permeability by developing an analytical framework to guide the design and use of tissue barrier or co-culture models. Ultimately, this review offers insight into the important aspects one must consider when using porous membranes in tissue barrier and lab-on-a-chip applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry H Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA.
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35
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Düregger K, Trik S, Leonhardt S, Eblenkamp M. Additive-manufactured microporous polymer membranes for biomedical in vitro applications. J Biomater Appl 2018; 33:116-126. [PMID: 29874967 DOI: 10.1177/0885328218780460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Microscale porous membranes are used in a wide range of technical and medical applications such as water treatment, dialysis and in vitro test systems. A promising approach to control membrane properties and overcome limitations of conventional fabrication techniques is given by additive manufacturing (AM). In this study, we designed and printed a microporous membrane via digital light processing and validated its use for biomedical in vitro applications based on the example of a cell culture insert. A multi-layer technique was developed, resulting in an eight-layer membrane with an average pore diameter of 25 µm. Image analyses proved the printing accuracy to be high with small deviations for an increasing number of layers. Permeability tests with brilliant blue FCF (E133, triarylmethane dye) and growth factors comparing the printed to track-etched membranes showed similar transfer dynamics and confirmed sufficient separation properties. Overall, the results showed that printing microporous polymer membranes is possible and highlight the potential of AM for biomedical in vitro applications such as cell culture inserts, scaffolds for tissue engineering or bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Düregger
- Institute of Medical and Polymer Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Sina Trik
- Institute of Medical and Polymer Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Stefan Leonhardt
- Institute of Medical and Polymer Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Markus Eblenkamp
- Institute of Medical and Polymer Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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36
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Ruan X, Zhang K, Jiang X, Zhang X, Yan X, Zhang N, He G. Facile fabrication of reinforced homoporous MF membranes by in situ breath figure and thermal adhesion method on substrates. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Casillo SM, Peredo AP, Perry SJ, Chung HH, Gaborski TR. Membrane Pore Spacing Can Modulate Endothelial Cell-Substrate and Cell-Cell Interactions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:243-248. [PMID: 28993815 PMCID: PMC5630150 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical cues and substrate interaction affect the manner in which cells adhere, spread, migrate and form tissues. With increased interest in tissue-on-a-chip and co-culture systems utilizing porous membranes, it is important to understand the role of disrupted surfaces on cellular behavior. Using a transparent glass membrane with defined pore geometries, we investigated endothelial fibronectin fibrillogenesis and formation of focal adhesions as well as development of intercellular junctions. Cells formed fewer focal adhesions and had shorter fibronectin fibrils on porous membranes compared to non-porous controls, which was similar to cell behavior on continuous soft substrates with Young's moduli seven orders of magnitude lower than glass. Additionally, porous membranes promoted enhanced cell-cell interactions as evidenced by earlier formation of tight junctions. These findings suggest that porous membranes with discontinuous surfaces promote reduced cell-matrix interactions similarly to soft substrates and may enhance tissue and barrier formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Henry H. Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - Thomas R. Gaborski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
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Carter RN, Casillo SM, Mazzocchi AR, DesOrmeaux JPS, Roussie JA, Gaborski TR. Ultrathin transparent membranes for cellular barrier and co-culture models. Biofabrication 2017; 9:015019. [PMID: 28140345 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa5ba7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Typical in vitro barrier and co-culture models rely upon thick semi-permeable polymeric membranes that physically separate two compartments. Polymeric track-etched membranes, while permeable to small molecules, are far from physiological with respect to physical interactions with co-cultured cells and are not compatible with high-resolution imaging due to light scattering and autofluorescence. Here we report on an optically transparent ultrathin membrane with porosity exceeding 20%. We optimize deposition and annealing conditions to create a tensile and robust porous silicon dioxide membrane that is comparable in thickness to the vascular basement membrane (100-300 nm). We demonstrate that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) spread and proliferate on these membranes similarly to control substrates. Additionally, HUVECs are able to transfer cytoplasmic cargo to adipose-derived stem cells when they are co-cultured on opposite sides of the membrane, demonstrating its thickness supports physiologically relevant cellular interactions. Lastly, we confirm that these porous glass membranes are compatible with lift-off processes yielding membrane sheets with an active area of many square centimeters. We believe that these membranes will enable new in vitro barrier and co-culture models while offering dramatically improved visualization compared to conventional alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N Carter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, United States of America. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, United States of America
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Compartmentalized Culture of Perivascular Stroma and Endothelial Cells in a Microfluidic Model of the Human Endometrium. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 45:1758-1769. [PMID: 28108942 PMCID: PMC5489603 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1797-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Following specific cyclic hormonal stimulation, endometrial stromal fibroblasts (stroma) and vascular endothelial cells exhibit morphological and biochemical changes to support embryo implantation and regulate vascular function, respectively. Herein, we integrated a resin-based porous membrane in a dual chamber microfluidic device in polydimethylsiloxane that allows long term in vitro co-culture of human endometrial stromal and endothelial cells. This transparent, 2-μm porous membrane separates the two chambers, allows for the diffusion of small molecules and enables high resolution bright field and fluorescent imaging. Within our primary human co-culture model of stromal and endothelial cells, we simulated the temporal hormone changes occurring during an idealized 28-day menstrual cycle. We observed the successful differentiation of stroma into functional decidual cells, determined by morphology as well as biochemically as measured by increased production of prolactin. By controlling the microfluidic properties of the device, we additionally found that shear stress forces promoted cytoskeleton alignment and tight junction formation in the endothelial layer. Finally, we demonstrated that the endometrial perivascular stroma model was sustainable for up to 4 weeks, remained sensitive to steroids and is suitable for quantitative biochemical analysis. Future utilization of this device will allow the direct evaluation of paracrine and endocrine crosstalk between these two cell types as well as studies of immunological events associated with normal vs. disease-related endometrial microenvironments.
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40
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Microfabrication of a tunable collagen/alginate-chitosan hydrogel membrane for controlling cell–cell interactions. Carbohydr Polym 2016; 153:652-662. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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41
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Xing J, Rong W, Sun D, Wang L, Sun L. A single-step lithography system based on an enhanced robotic adhesive dispenser. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2016; 87:095005. [PMID: 27782580 DOI: 10.1063/1.4963357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the paper, we present a single-step lithography system whereby the robotically controlled micro-extrusion of resist adhesive onto a substrate surface to directly create resist adhesive patterns of interest. This system is modified from a robotic adhesive dispenser by shrinking the aperture of the nozzle to a few micrometers aiming to realize patterns at microscale. From experimental investigation, it is found that working factors including writing speed, working time, and applied pressure can be adopted to conveniently regulate the feature size (the width of the line features and the diameter of the dot features). To test its functionality, the system was used to pattern line features on silicon dioxide (SiO2) and generate an array of square-like silicon microstructure by combining with wet etching. It provides a simple and flexible alternative tool to facilitate the development of microfabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyao Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2 Yikuang, C1 HIT Science Park, 150080 Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Weibin Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2 Yikuang, C1 HIT Science Park, 150080 Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2 Yikuang, C1 HIT Science Park, 150080 Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lefeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2 Yikuang, C1 HIT Science Park, 150080 Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lining Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2 Yikuang, C1 HIT Science Park, 150080 Harbin, People's Republic of China
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42
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Pensabene V, Costa L, Terekhov A, Gnecco JS, Wikswo J, Hofmeister W. Ultrathin Polymer Membranes with Patterned, Micrometric Pores for Organs-on-Chips. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:22629-36. [PMID: 27513606 PMCID: PMC5131702 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b05754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The basal lamina or basement membrane (BM) is a key physiological system that participates in physicochemical signaling between tissue types. Its formation and function are essential in tissue maintenance, growth, angiogenesis, disease progression, and immunology. In vitro models of the BM (e.g., Boyden and transwell chambers) are common in cell biology and lab-on-a-chip devices where cells require apical and basolateral polarization. Extravasation, intravasation, membrane transport of chemokines, cytokines, chemotaxis of cells, and other key functions are routinely studied in these models. The goal of the present study was to integrate a semipermeable ultrathin polymer membrane with precisely positioned pores of 2 μm diameter in a microfluidic device with apical and basolateral chambers. We selected poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA), a transparent biocompatible polymer, to prepare the semipermeable ultrathin membranes. The pores were generated by pattern transfer using a three-step method coupling femtosecond laser machining, polymer replication, and spin coating. Each step of the fabrication process was characterized by scanning electron microscopy to investigate reliability of the process and fidelity of pattern transfer. In order to evaluate the compatibility of the fabrication method with organs-on-a-chip technology, porous PLLA membranes were embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices and used to grow human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS) on top of the membrane with perfusion through the basolateral chamber. Viability of cells, optical transparency of membranes and strong adhesion of PLLA to PDMS were observed, thus confirming the suitability of the prepared membranes for use in organs-on-a-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Pensabene
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- School of Medicine, Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Lino Costa
- Center for Laser Applications, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, TN 37388 USA
| | - Alexander Terekhov
- Center for Laser Applications, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, TN 37388 USA
| | - Juan S. Gnecco
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
| | - John Wikswo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
| | - William Hofmeister
- Center for Laser Applications, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, TN 37388 USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 USA
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Bružauskaitė I, Bironaitė D, Bagdonas E, Bernotienė E. Scaffolds and cells for tissue regeneration: different scaffold pore sizes-different cell effects. Cytotechnology 2016. [PMID: 26091616 DOI: 10.1007/sl0616-0159895-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decade biomaterial sciences and tissue engineering have become new scientific fields supplying rising demand of regenerative therapy. Tissue engineering requires consolidation of a broad knowledge of cell biology and modern biotechnology investigating biocompatibility of materials and their application for the reconstruction of damaged organs and tissues. Stem cell-based tissue regeneration started from the direct cell transplantation into damaged tissues or blood vessels. However, it is difficult to track transplanted cells and keep them in one particular place of diseased organ. Recently, new technologies such as cultivation of stem cell on the scaffolds and subsequently their implantation into injured tissue have been extensively developed. Successful tissue regeneration requires scaffolds with particular mechanical stability or biodegradability, appropriate size, surface roughness and porosity to provide a suitable microenvironment for the sufficient cell-cell interaction, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Further functioning of implanted cells highly depends on the scaffold pore sizes that play an essential role in nutrient and oxygen diffusion and waste removal. In addition, pore sizes strongly influence cell adhesion, cell-cell interaction and cell transmigration across the membrane depending on the various purposes of tissue regeneration. Therefore, this review will highlight contemporary tendencies in application of non-degradable scaffolds and stem cells in regenerative medicine with a particular focus on the pore sizes significantly affecting final recover of diseased organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Bružauskaitė
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Zygimantu 9, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Bironaitė
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Zygimantu 9, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Edvardas Bagdonas
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Zygimantu 9, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Eiva Bernotienė
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Zygimantu 9, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania
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44
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Bhadra P, Sengupta S, Ratchagar NP, Achar B, Chadha A, Bhattacharya E. Selective transportation of charged ZnO nanoparticles and microorganism dialysis through silicon nanoporous membranes. J Memb Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2015.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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45
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Song Y, Zheng G, Zhang D, Lv Y, Li N, Wang X, Yu W, Ma X. Fabrication of a tunable hydrogel membrane for constructing indirect cell coculture system. J Appl Polym Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/app.43100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Song
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 People's Republic of China
| | - Guoshuang Zheng
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 People's Republic of China
| | - Demeng Zhang
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Lv
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 People's Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Science; Dalian Medical University; Dalian 116044 People's Republic of China
| | - Weiting Yu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; 457 Zhongshan Road Dalian 116023 People's Republic of China
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46
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Scaffolds and cells for tissue regeneration: different scaffold pore sizes-different cell effects. Cytotechnology 2015. [PMID: 26091616 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-015-9895-4.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade biomaterial sciences and tissue engineering have become new scientific fields supplying rising demand of regenerative therapy. Tissue engineering requires consolidation of a broad knowledge of cell biology and modern biotechnology investigating biocompatibility of materials and their application for the reconstruction of damaged organs and tissues. Stem cell-based tissue regeneration started from the direct cell transplantation into damaged tissues or blood vessels. However, it is difficult to track transplanted cells and keep them in one particular place of diseased organ. Recently, new technologies such as cultivation of stem cell on the scaffolds and subsequently their implantation into injured tissue have been extensively developed. Successful tissue regeneration requires scaffolds with particular mechanical stability or biodegradability, appropriate size, surface roughness and porosity to provide a suitable microenvironment for the sufficient cell-cell interaction, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Further functioning of implanted cells highly depends on the scaffold pore sizes that play an essential role in nutrient and oxygen diffusion and waste removal. In addition, pore sizes strongly influence cell adhesion, cell-cell interaction and cell transmigration across the membrane depending on the various purposes of tissue regeneration. Therefore, this review will highlight contemporary tendencies in application of non-degradable scaffolds and stem cells in regenerative medicine with a particular focus on the pore sizes significantly affecting final recover of diseased organs.
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47
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Scaffolds and cells for tissue regeneration: different scaffold pore sizes-different cell effects. Cytotechnology 2015; 68:355-69. [PMID: 26091616 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-015-9895-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 394] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade biomaterial sciences and tissue engineering have become new scientific fields supplying rising demand of regenerative therapy. Tissue engineering requires consolidation of a broad knowledge of cell biology and modern biotechnology investigating biocompatibility of materials and their application for the reconstruction of damaged organs and tissues. Stem cell-based tissue regeneration started from the direct cell transplantation into damaged tissues or blood vessels. However, it is difficult to track transplanted cells and keep them in one particular place of diseased organ. Recently, new technologies such as cultivation of stem cell on the scaffolds and subsequently their implantation into injured tissue have been extensively developed. Successful tissue regeneration requires scaffolds with particular mechanical stability or biodegradability, appropriate size, surface roughness and porosity to provide a suitable microenvironment for the sufficient cell-cell interaction, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Further functioning of implanted cells highly depends on the scaffold pore sizes that play an essential role in nutrient and oxygen diffusion and waste removal. In addition, pore sizes strongly influence cell adhesion, cell-cell interaction and cell transmigration across the membrane depending on the various purposes of tissue regeneration. Therefore, this review will highlight contemporary tendencies in application of non-degradable scaffolds and stem cells in regenerative medicine with a particular focus on the pore sizes significantly affecting final recover of diseased organs.
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