1
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Li K, Gu L, Cai H, Lu HC, Mackie K, Guo F. Human brain organoids for understanding substance use disorders. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2024; 58:101031. [PMID: 39146603 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2024.101031] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex mental health conditions involving a problematic pattern of substance use. Challenges remain in understanding their neural mechanisms, which are likely to lead to improved SUD treatments. Human brain organoids, brain-like 3D in vitro cultures derived from human stem cells, show unique potential in recapitulating the response of a developing human brain to substances. Here, we review the recent progress in understanding SUDs using human brain organoid models focusing on neurodevelopmental perspectives. We first summarize the background of SUDs in humans. Moreover, we introduce the development of various human brain organoid models and then discuss current progress and findings underlying the abuse of substances like nicotine, alcohol, and other addictive drugs using organoid models. Furthermore, we review efforts to develop organ chips and microphysiological systems to engineer better human brain organoids for advancing SUD studies. Lastly, we conclude by elaborating on the current challenges and future directions of SUD studies using human brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangle Li
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Longjun Gu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States.
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2
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Li C, He W, Song Y, Zhang X, Sun J, Zhou Z. Advances of 3D Cell Co-Culture Technology Based on Microfluidic Chips. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:336. [PMID: 39056612 PMCID: PMC11274478 DOI: 10.3390/bios14070336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Cell co-culture technology aims to study the communication mechanism between cells and to better reveal the interactions and regulatory mechanisms involved in processes such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and other cellular activities. This is achieved by simulating the complex organismic environment. Such studies are of great significance for understanding the physiological and pathological processes of multicellular organisms. As an emerging cell cultivation technology, 3D cell co-culture technology, based on microfluidic chips, can efficiently, rapidly, and accurately achieve cell co-culture. This is accomplished by leveraging the unique microchannel structures and flow characteristics of microfluidic chips. The technology can simulate the native microenvironment of cell growth, providing a new technical platform for studying intercellular communication. It has been widely used in the research of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and other fields. In this review, we summarize and provide insights into the design of cell co-culture systems on microfluidic chips, the detection methods employed in co-culture systems, and the applications of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Li
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Wei He
- Department of Clinical Medical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China;
| | - Yihua Song
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xia Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
| | - Jianfei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zuojian Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of TCM Intelligence Health Service, School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (C.L.); (Y.S.); (X.Z.)
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3
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Wu Z, Cai H, Tian C, Ao Z, Jiang L, Guo F. Exploiting Sound for Emerging Applications of Extracellular Vesicles. NANO RESEARCH 2024; 17:462-475. [PMID: 38712329 PMCID: PMC11073796 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-023-5840-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are nano- to microscale, membrane-bound particles released by cells into extracellular space, and act as carriers of biomarkers and therapeutics, holding promising potential in translational medicine. However, the challenges remain in handling and detecting extracellular vesicles for disease diagnosis as well as exploring their therapeutic capability for disease treatment. Here, we review the recent engineering and technology advances by leveraging the power of sound waves to address the challenges in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles. We first introduce the fundamental principles of sound waves for understanding different acoustic-assisted extracellular vesicle technologies. We discuss the acoustic-assisted diagnostic methods including the purification, manipulation, biosensing, and bioimaging of extracellular vesicles. Then, we summarize the recent advances in acoustically enhanced therapeutics using extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles. Finally, we provide perspectives into current challenges and future clinical applications of the promising extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles powered by sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Chunhui Tian
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Zheng Ao
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
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4
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Zhu L, Tang Q, Mao Z, Chen H, Wu L, Qin Y. Microfluidic-based platforms for cell-to-cell communication studies. Biofabrication 2023; 16:012005. [PMID: 38035370 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication is critical to the understanding of human health and disease progression. However, compared to traditional methods with inefficient analysis, microfluidic co-culture technologies developed for cell-cell communication research can reliably analyze crucial biological processes, such as cell signaling, and monitor dynamic intercellular interactions under reproducible physiological cell co-culture conditions. Moreover, microfluidic-based technologies can achieve precise spatial control of two cell types at the single-cell level with high throughput. Herein, this review focuses on recent advances in microfluidic-based 2D and 3D devices developed to confine two or more heterogeneous cells in the study of intercellular communication and decipher the advantages and limitations of these models in specific cellular research scenarios. This review will stimulate the development of more functionalized microfluidic platforms for biomedical research, inspiring broader interests across various disciplines to better comprehend cell-cell communication and other fields, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvyang Zhu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qu Tang
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Mao
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanhuan Chen
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuling Qin
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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5
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Liu X, Gu J, Wang J, Zhang W, Wang Y, Xu Z. Cell Membrane-Anchored SERS Biosensor for the Monitoring of Cell-Secreted MMP-9 during Cell-Cell Communication. ACS Sens 2023; 8:4307-4314. [PMID: 37923556 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a proteolytic enzyme, degrades the extracellular matrix and plays a key role in cell communication. However, the real-time monitoring of cell-secreted MMP-9 during cell-cell communication remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a cell-based membrane-anchored surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor using a Au@4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN) @Ag@peptide nanoprobe for the monitoring of cell-secreted MMP-9 during cell communication. The multifunctional nanoprobe was created with Au@4-MBN@Ag acting as an interference-free SERS substrate with high enhancement in which the peptide not only serves to anchor the cell membrane but also provides MMP-9-activatable cleaved peptide chains. MMP-9-mediated cleavage resulted in the detachment of the Au@4-MBN@Ag nanoparticles from the cell membrane, thereby decreasing the SERS signals of cancer cells. The cell membrane-anchored SERS biosensor enables the real-time monitoring of cell-secreted MMP-9 during the interaction of MCF-7 and HUVEC cells. This study successfully demonstrates the dynamic change of cell-secreted MMP-9 during the communication between MCF-7 cells and HUVEC cells. The proposed nanoprobe was also utilized to precisely evaluate the breast and hepatoma cancer cell aggressiveness. This study provides a novel strategy for real-time monitoring of MMP-9 secretion during cell communication, which is promising for the investigation of the mechanisms underlying different tumor processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Liu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Gu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenshu Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangrun Xu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
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6
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Wu Z, Ao Z, Cai H, Li X, Chen B, Tu H, Wang Y, Lu RO, Gu M, Cheng L, Lu X, Guo F. Acoustofluidic assembly of primary tumor-derived organotypic cell clusters for rapid evaluation of cancer immunotherapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:40. [PMID: 36739414 PMCID: PMC9899402 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy shows promising potential for treating breast cancer. While patients may have heterogeneous treatment responses for adjuvant therapy, it is challenging to predict an individual patient's response to cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report primary tumor-derived organotypic cell clusters (POCCs) for rapid and reliable evaluation of cancer immunotherapy. By using a label-free, contactless, and highly biocompatible acoustofluidic method, hundreds of cell clusters could be assembled from patient primary breast tumor dissociation within 2 min. Through the incorporation of time-lapse living cell imaging, the POCCs could faithfully recapitulate the cancer-immune interaction dynamics as well as their response to checkpoint inhibitors. Superior to current tumor organoids that usually take more than two weeks to develop, the POCCs can be established and used for evaluation of cancer immunotherapy within 12 h. The POCCs can preserve the cell components from the primary tumor due to the short culture time. Moreover, the POCCs can be assembled with uniform fabricate size and cell composition and served as an open platform for manipulating cell composition and ratio under controlled treatment conditions with a short turnaround time. Thus, we provide a new method to identify potentially immunogenic breast tumors and test immunotherapy, promoting personalized cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Zheng Ao
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Honglei Tu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Yijie Wang
- Computer Science Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47408, USA
| | - Rongze Olivia Lu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, California, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Mingxia Gu
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Pulmonary Biology, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Lifespan Academic Medical Center, and the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
- Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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7
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Millet LJ, Jain A, Gillette MU. Less Is More: Oligomer Extraction and Hydrothermal Annealing Increase PDMS Adhesion Forces for Materials Studies and for Biology-Focused Microfluidic Applications. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:214. [PMID: 36677275 PMCID: PMC9866318 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cues in the micro-environment are key determinants in the emergence of complex cellular morphologies and functions. Primary among these is the presence of neighboring cells that form networks. For high-resolution analysis, it is crucial to develop micro-environments that permit exquisite control of network formation. This is especially true in cell science, tissue engineering, and clinical biology. We introduce a new approach for assembling polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic environments that enhances cell network formation and analyses. We report that the combined processes of PDMS solvent-extraction and hydrothermal annealing create unique conditions that produce high-strength bonds between solvent-extracted PDMS (E-PDMS) and glass-properties not associated with conventional PDMS. Extraction followed by hydrothermal annealing removes unbound oligomers, promotes polymer cross-linking, facilitates covalent bond formation with glass, and retains the highest biocompatibility. Herein, our extraction protocol accelerates oligomer removal from 5 to 2 days. Resulting microfluidic platforms are uniquely suited for cell-network studies owing to high adhesion forces, effectively corralling cellular extensions and eliminating harmful oligomers. We demonstrate the simple, simultaneous actuation of multiple microfluidic domains for invoking ATP- and glutamate-induced Ca2+ signaling in glial-cell networks. These E-PDMS modifications and flow manipulations further enable microfluidic technologies for cell-signaling and network studies as well as novel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry J. Millet
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Anika Jain
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Martha U. Gillette
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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8
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Chen Y, Wu Z, Sutlive J, Wu K, Mao L, Nie J, Zhao XZ, Guo F, Chen Z, Huang Q. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis targeting fetal nucleated red blood cells. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:546. [PMID: 36585678 PMCID: PMC9805221 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01749-3] [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: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) aims to detect fetal-related genetic disorders before birth by detecting markers in the peripheral blood of pregnant women, holding the potential in reducing the risk of fetal birth defects. Fetal-nucleated red blood cells (fNRBCs) can be used as biomarkers for NIPD, given their remarkable nature of carrying the entire genetic information of the fetus. Here, we review recent advances in NIPD technologies based on the isolation and analysis of fNRBCs. Conventional cell separation methods rely primarily on physical properties and surface antigens of fNRBCs, such as density gradient centrifugation, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and magnetic-activated cell sorting. Due to the limitations of sensitivity and purity in Conventional methods, separation techniques based on micro-/nanomaterials have been developed as novel methods for isolating and enriching fNRBCs. We also discuss emerging methods based on microfluidic chips and nanostructured substrates for static and dynamic isolation of fNRBCs. Additionally, we introduce the identification techniques of fNRBCs and address the potential clinical diagnostic values of fNRBCs. Finally, we highlight the challenges and the future directions of fNRBCs as treatment guidelines in NIPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Chen
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Academy of Medical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China ,grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Zhuhao Wu
- grid.411377.70000 0001 0790 959XDepartment of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
| | - Joseph Sutlive
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Ke Wu
- grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Lu Mao
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Academy of Medical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China
| | - Jiabao Nie
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,grid.261112.70000 0001 2173 3359Department of Biological Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Xing-Zhong Zhao
- grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States.
| | - Zi Chen
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Qinqin Huang
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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9
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Luna R, Heineck DP, Bucher E, Heiser L, Ibsen SD. Theoretical and experimental analysis of negative dielectrophoresis‐induced particle trajectories. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:1366-1377. [PMID: 35377504 PMCID: PMC9325439 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many biomedical analysis applications require trapping and manipulating single cells and cell clusters within microfluidic devices. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a label‐free technique that can achieve flexible cell trapping, without physical barriers, using electric field gradients created in the device by an electrode microarray. Little is known about how fluid flow forces created by the electrodes, such as thermally driven convection and electroosmosis, affect DEP‐based cell capture under high conductance media conditions that simulate physiologically relevant fluids such as blood or plasma. Here, we compare theoretical trajectories of particles under the influence of negative DEP (nDEP) with observed trajectories of real particles in a high conductance buffer. We used 10‐µm diameter polystyrene beads as model cells and tracked their trajectories in the DEP microfluidic chip. The theoretical nDEP trajectories were in close agreement with the observed particle behavior. This agreement indicates that the movement of the particles was highly dominated by the DEP force and that contributions from thermal‐ and electroosmotic‐driven flows were negligible under these experimental conditions. The analysis protocol developed here offers a strategy that can be applied to future studies with different applied voltages, frequencies, conductivities, and polarization properties of the targeted particles and surrounding medium. These findings motivate further DEP device development to manipulate particle trajectories for trapping applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Luna
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
| | - Daniel P. Heineck
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
| | - Elmar Bucher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
| | - Laura Heiser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
| | - Stuart D. Ibsen
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Oregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon USA
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10
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Ward R, Ravindran S, R Otazo M, Cradock B, Avci E, Gillies G, Coker C, Williams MAK. Inside the ensemble: unlocking the potential of one-at-a-time experiments with lab-on-a-chip automation. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4401-4413. [PMID: 34633401 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00601k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The advent of technologies that allow the interactions of individual microscopic particles to be probed "one-at-a-time" has paved the way for new experimental avenues of enquiry in colloidal systems. For example, investigating whether a particular pair of colloidal particles isolated from a macroscopic sample might adhere to each other when brought into close proximity is certainly possible. However, given the probabilistic nature of the process (different particles within the ensemble may have slightly different surface charge distributions and asperities, and interaction energies involved can be close to thermal values), it is important that many hundreds or thousands of pairs of particles are tested under each set of experimental conditions of interest. Currently it is still an arduous task to perform such an experiment a sufficient number of times in order to acquire a data-set that truly represents the ensemble. Herein an automated particle collider for measuring particle-particle interactions has been realized by combining elements of microfluidics, holographic optical tweezers and image processing. Each individual measurement consists of confining two particles within a predetermined chemical micro-environment, and observing whether their interactions lead to aggregation. To automate the measurements, computer software consisting of LabVIEW and Red Tweezers with a custom plugin was used. Preliminary experiments carried out using 1 μm diameter polystyrene particles demonstrated that many hundreds of pairwise-interaction measurements could be carried out autonomously within a matter of hours. Further exemplar real-world experiments, designed to examine the stickiness of emulsion drops as a function of bulk measurements of the ζ-potential (zeta potential) of the sample, were then performed. It is envisaged that such robust approaches to the automation of "one-at-a-time" experiments will find applications in a large number of areas, and enable previously unthinkable experiments to be carried out in a timely fashion, thus allowing the focus to shift away from tedious experimental frustrations to more profound scientific questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Ward
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Sapna Ravindran
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Mariela R Otazo
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Braden Cradock
- School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Ebubekir Avci
- School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, New Zealand
| | - Graeme Gillies
- Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Christina Coker
- Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Martin A K Williams
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, New Zealand
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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11
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Wu Z, Chen B, Wu Y, Xia Y, Chen H, Gong Z, Hu H, Ding Z, Guo S. Scaffold-free generation of heterotypic cell spheroids using acoustofluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3498-3508. [PMID: 34346468 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00496d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
3D cell cultures such as cell spheroids are widely used for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and translational medicine, but challenges remain in recapitulating the architectural complexity and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of tissues. Thus, we developed a scaffold-free and versatile acoustofluidic device to fabricate heterotypic cell spheroids with complexity over cell architectures and components. By varying the concentrations of cell suspension, we can precisely control the size of spheroids aggregated by a contact-free acoustic radiation force. By tuning the cell components including tumor cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, heterotypic spheroids were controllably fabricated. These heterotypic spheroids can be used as a proof-of concept to model the spatial organization of tumor tissues. We demonstrated that the assembled components can self-assemble into layered structures as instructed by their cadherin expression. Finally, we demonstrated the acoustic assembly of mouse mammary gland components into spheroids and observed their maturation in culture. To conclude, we developed an acoustofluidic platform to fabricate complex spheroids with multiple components. We envision that this platform will pave the way for the high accuracy of spheroid fabrication and offer broad applications in numerous areas, such as tumor research, tissue engineering, developmental biology, and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510180, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wu
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu Xia
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiyi Gong
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hang Hu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhao Ding
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shishang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Pang L, Ding J, Liu XX, Kou Z, Guo L, Xu X, Fan SK. Microfluidics-Based Single-Cell Research for Intercellular Interaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:680307. [PMID: 34458252 PMCID: PMC8397490 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.680307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular interaction between cell-cell and cell-ECM is critical to numerous biology and medical studies, such as stem cell differentiation, immunotherapy and tissue engineering. Traditional methods employed for delving into intercellular interaction are limited by expensive equipment and sophisticated procedures. Microfluidics technique is considered as one of the powerful measures capable of precisely capturing and manipulating cells and achieving low reagent consumption and high throughput with decidedly integrated functional components. Over the past few years, microfluidics-based systems for intercellular interaction study at a single-cell level have become frequently adopted. This review focuses on microfluidic single-cell studies for intercellular interaction in a 2D or 3D environment with a variety of cell manipulating techniques and applications. The challenges to be overcome are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Pang
- School of Basic Medical Science, The Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Xi-Xian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering of MOE, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhixuan Kou
- School of Basic Medical Science, The Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lulu Guo
- School of Basic Medical Science, The Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xi Xu
- School of Basic Medical Science, The Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shih-Kang Fan
- Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
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13
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Endaylalu SA, Tien WH. Mixing enhancement in T-junction microchannel with acoustic streaming induced by triangular structure. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:034102. [PMID: 33986902 PMCID: PMC8106536 DOI: 10.1063/5.0042541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The T-shaped microchannel system is used to mix similar or different fluids, and the laminar flow nature makes the mixing at the entrance junction region a challenging task. Acoustic streaming is a steady vortical flow phenomenon that can be produced in the microchannel by oscillating acoustic transducer around the sharp edge tip structure. In this study, the acoustic streaming is produced using a triangular structure with tip angles of 22.62°, 33.4°, and 61.91°, which is placed at the entrance junction region and mixes the inlets flow from two directions. The acoustic streaming flow patterns were investigated using micro-particle image velocimetry (μPIV) in various tip edge angles, flow rate, oscillation frequency, and amplitude. The velocity and vorticity profiles show that a pair of counter-rotating streaming vortices were created around the sharp triangle structure and raised the Z vorticity up to 10 times more than the case without acoustic streaming. The mixing experiments were performed by using fluorescent green dye solution and de-ionized water and evaluated its performance with the degree of mixing (M) at different amplitudes, flow rates, frequencies, and tip edge angles using the grayscale value of pixel intensity. The degree of mixing characterized was found significantly improved to 0.769 with acoustic streaming from 0.4017 without acoustic streaming, in the case of 0.008 μl/min flow rate and 38 V oscillation amplitude at y = 2.15 mm. The results suggested that the creation of acoustic streaming around the entrance junction region promotes the mixing of two fluids inside the microchannel, which is restricted by the laminar flow conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei-Hsin Tien
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +886-2-27376443
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14
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Latest Updates on the Advancement of Polymer-Based Biomicroelectromechanical Systems for Animal Cell Studies. ADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1155/2021/8816564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Biological sciences have reached the fundamental unit of life: the cell. Ever-growing field of Biological Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMSs) is providing new frontiers in both fundamental cell research and various practical applications in cell-related studies. Among various functions of BioMEMS devices, some of the most fundamental processes that can be carried out in such platforms include cell sorting, cell separation, cell isolation or trapping, cell pairing, cell-cell communication, cell differentiation, cell identification, and cell culture. In this article, we review each mentioned application in great details highlighting the latest advancements in fabrication strategy, mechanism of operation, and application of these tools. Moreover, the review article covers the shortcomings of each specific application which can open windows of opportunity for improvement of these devices.
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15
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Xie Y, Mao Z, Bachman H, Li P, Zhang P, Ren L, Wu M, Huang TJ. Acoustic Cell Separation Based on Density and Mechanical Properties. J Biomech Eng 2020; 142:031005. [PMID: 32006021 PMCID: PMC7104781 DOI: 10.1115/1.4046180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Density and mechanical properties (e.g., compressibility or bulk modulus) are important cellular biophysical markers. As such, developing a method to separate cells directly based on these properties can benefit various applications including biological research, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. As a potential solution, surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based cell separation has demonstrated advantages in terms of biocompatibility and compact device size. However, most SAW-reliant cell separations are achieved using an entangled effect of density, various mechanical properties, and size. In this work, we demonstrate SAW-based separation of cells/particles based on their density and compressibility, irrespective of their sizes, by manipulating the acoustic properties of the fluidic medium. Using our platform, SAW-based separation is achieved by varying the dimensions of the microfluidic channels, the wavelengths of acoustic signals, and the properties of the fluid media. Our method was applied to separate paraformaldehyde-treated and fresh Hela cells based on differences in mechanical properties; a recovery rate of 85% for fixed cells was achieved. It was also applied to separate red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) which have different densities. A recovery rate of 80.5% for WBCs was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, State College, PA
16802
| | - Zhangming Mao
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The
Pennsylvania State University, University
Park, State College, PA 16802
| | - Hunter Bachman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The
Pennsylvania State University, University
Park, State College, PA 16802
| | - Peiran Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Liqiang Ren
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The
Pennsylvania State University, University
Park, State College, PA 16802
| | - Mengxi Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
e-mail:
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16
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Zhu R, Avsievich T, Popov A, Meglinski I. Optical Tweezers in Studies of Red Blood Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E545. [PMID: 32111018 PMCID: PMC7140472 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical tweezers (OTs) are innovative instruments utilized for the manipulation of microscopic biological objects of interest. Rapid improvements in precision and degree of freedom of multichannel and multifunctional OTs have ushered in a new era of studies in basic physical and chemical properties of living tissues and unknown biomechanics in biological processes. Nowadays, OTs are used extensively for studying living cells and have initiated far-reaching influence in various fundamental studies in life sciences. There is also a high potential for using OTs in haemorheology, investigations of blood microcirculation and the mutual interplay of blood cells. In fact, in spite of their great promise in the application of OTs-based approaches for the study of blood, cell formation and maturation in erythropoiesis have not been fully explored. In this review, the background of OTs, their state-of-the-art applications in exploring single-cell level characteristics and bio-rheological properties of mature red blood cells (RBCs) as well as the OTs-assisted studies on erythropoiesis are summarized and presented. The advance developments and future perspectives of the OTs' application in haemorheology both for fundamental and practical in-depth studies of RBCs formation, functional diagnostics and therapeutic needs are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Zhu
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland; (T.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Tatiana Avsievich
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland; (T.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Alexey Popov
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland; (T.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Igor Meglinski
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland; (T.A.); (A.P.)
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biophotonics, National Research Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine (PhysBio), National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI), 115409 Moscow, Russia
- Aston Institute of Materials Research, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
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17
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Wei J, Cheng L, Li J, Liu Y, Yin S, Xu B, Wang D, Lu H, Liu C. A microfluidic platform culturing two cell lines paralleled under in-vivo like fluidic microenvironment for testing the tumor targeting of nanoparticles. Talanta 2020; 208:120355. [PMID: 31816718 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are attractive in medicine because their surfaces can be chemically modified for targeting specific disease cells, especially for cancer. Providing an in-vivo like platform is crucial to evaluate the biological behaviours of nanoparticles. This paper presents a microfluidic device that could culture two cell lines in parallel in in-vivo like fluidic microenvironments and be used for testing the tumor targeting of folic acid - cholesterol - chitosan (FACC) nanoparticles. The uniformity and uniformity of flow fields inside the cell culture units are investigated using the finite element method and particle tracking technology. HeLa and A549 cells are cultured in the microfluidic chip under continuous media supplementation, mimicking the fluid microenvironment in vivo. Cell introducing processes are presented by the flow behaviours of inks with different colours. The two cell lines are identified by detecting folate receptors on the cellular membranes. The growth curves of the two cell lines are measured. The two cell lines cultured paralleled inside the microfluidic device are treated with FITC-FACC to investigate the targeting of FACC. The tumor targeting of FACC are also detected by in vivo imaging of HeLa cells growth in nude mice models. The results indicate that the microfluidic device could provide a dynamic, uniform and stable fluidic microenvironment to test the tumor targeting of FACC nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wei
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lichun Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jingmin Li
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yuanchang Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, NW12BX, UK
| | - Shuqing Yin
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huiyi Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Technology and System of Liaoning Province, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China; Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
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18
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Li L, Wang H, Huang L, Michael SA, Huang W, Wu H. A Controllable, Centrifugal-Based Hydrodynamic Microfluidic Chip for Cell-Pairing and Studying Long-Term Communications between Single Cells. Anal Chem 2019; 91:15908-15914. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huirong Wang
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sean Alan Michael
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongkai Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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19
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Abstract
Cellular analysis is a central concept for both biology and medicine. Over the past two decades, acoustofluidic technologies, which marry acoustic waves with microfluidics, have significantly contributed to the development of innovative approaches for cellular analysis. Acoustofluidic technologies enable precise manipulations of cells and the fluids that confine them, and these capabilities have been utilized in many cell analysis applications. In this review article, we examine various applications where acoustofluidic methods have been implemented, including cell imaging, cell mechanotyping, circulating tumor cell phenotyping, sample preparation in clinics, and investigation of cell-cell interactions and cell-environment responses. We also provide our perspectives on the technological advantages, limitations, and potential future directions for this innovative field of methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Xie
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hunter Bachman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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20
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Sakthivel K, O'Brien A, Kim K, Hoorfar M. Microfluidic analysis of heterotypic cellular interactions: A review of techniques and applications. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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21
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Sorba F, Poulin A, Ischer R, Shea H, Martin-Olmos C. Integrated elastomer-based device for measuring the mechanics of adherent cell monolayers. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:2138-2146. [PMID: 31115420 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00075e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cells in the body collectively sustain mechanical deformations in almost all physiological functions. From the morphogenesis stage, cells' ability to sustain stress is essential for the body's well-being. Several pathologies have been associated with abnormal mechanical properties, thus suggesting the Young's modulus as a biomarker to diagnose diseases and determine their progression. Advancements in the field are quite slow because current techniques for measuring cell and tissue mechanics rely on complex and bulky measurement platforms that have low repeatability rates and limited measurement time-scales. We present the first miniaturized system that allows accurate quantification of the Young's modulus of adherent cell monolayers over a longer time (1-2 days). Our approach is based on tensile testing and optical read-out. Thanks to a thoughtful design and material choice, we are able to miniaturize tensile testing platforms into a 1 cm × 2 cm device. We provide highly repeatable Young's modulus measurements in the relevant range between 3 kPa and 300 kPa, over time and under physiological conditions, thus representing an interesting alternative to existing measurement platforms. Furthermore, the compatibility with standard biological equipment, continuous optical imaging and measurements on all types of adherent cells make this device highly versatile. Measurements on human sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS2) and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) are reported. The demonstrated capability to measure real-time changes in mechanical properties, such as after chemical treatment, opens the door for investigating the effects of drugs on cell mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sorba
- Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, CSEM SA, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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22
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Chen K, Sui C, Wu Y, Ao Z, Guo SS, Guo F. A digital acoustofluidic device for on-demand and oil-free droplet generation. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 30:084001. [PMID: 30523921 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaf3fd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We report a digital acoustofluidic device for on-demand and oil-free droplet generation. By applying a programmed radio frequency signal to a circular interdigital transducer, the dynamic focused acoustic pressure profiles generated rise up and dispense sample liquids from a reservoir to dynamically eject the droplets into the air. Our device allows droplets to be dispensed on demand with precisely controlled generation time and sequence, and accurate droplet volume. Moreover, we also demonstrate the generation of a droplet with a volume of 24 pL within 10 ms, as well as the encapsulation of a single cell into droplets. This acoustofluidic droplet generation technique is simple, biocompatible, and enables the on-demand droplet generation and encapsulation of many different biological materials with precise control, which is promising for single cell sampling and analysis applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Chen
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
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23
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Rivera JF, Sridharan SV, Nolan JK, Miloro SA, Alam MA, Rickus JL, Janes DB. Real-time characterization of uptake kinetics of glioblastoma vs. astrocytes in 2D cell culture using microelectrode array. Analyst 2018; 143:4954-4966. [PMID: 30225487 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01198b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular measurement of uptake/release kinetics and associated concentration dependencies provides mechanistic insight into the underlying biochemical processes. Due to the recognized importance of preserving the natural diffusion processes within the local microenvironment, measurement approaches which provide uptake rate and local surface concentration of adherent cells in static media are needed. This paper reports a microelectrode array device and a methodology to measure uptake kinetics as a function of cell surface concentration in adherent 2D cell cultures in static fluids. The microelectrode array simultaneously measures local concentrations at five positions near the cell surface in order to map the time-dependent concentration profile which in turn enables determination of surface concentrations and uptake rates, via extrapolation to the cell plane. Hydrogen peroxide uptake by human astrocytes (normal) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM43, cancer) was quantified for initial concentrations of 20 to 500 μM over time intervals of 4000 s. For both cell types, the overall uptake rate versus surface concentration relationships exhibited non-linear kinetics, well-described by a combination of linear and Michaelis-Menten mechanisms and in agreement with the literature. The GBM43 cells showed a higher uptake rate over the full range of concentrations, primarily due to a larger linear component. Diffusion-reaction models using the non-linear parameters and standard first-order relationships are compared. In comparison to results from typical volumetric measurements, the ability to extract both uptake rate and surface concentration in static media provides kinetic parameters that are better suited for developing reaction-diffusion models to adequately describe behavior in more complex culture/tissue geometries. The results also highlight the need for characterization of the uptake rate over a wider range of cell surface concentrations in order to evaluate the potential therapeutic role of hydrogen peroxide in cancerous cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose F Rivera
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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24
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He Z, Ranganathan N, Li P. Evaluating nanomedicine with microfluidics. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 29:492001. [PMID: 30215611 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aae18a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicines are engineered nanoscale structures that have an extensive range of application in the diagnosis and therapy of many diseases. Despite the rapid progress in and tremendous potential of nanomedicines, their clinical translational process is still slow, owing to the difficulty in understanding, evaluating, and predicting their behavior in complex living organisms. Microfluidic techniques offer a promising way to resolve these challenges. Carefully designed microfluidic chips enable in vivo microenvironment simulation and high-throughput analysis, thus providing robust platforms for nanomedicine evaluation. Here, we summarize the recent developments and achievements in microfluidic methods for nanomedicine evaluation, categorized into four sections based on their target systems: single cell, multicellular system, organ, and organism levels. Finally, we provide our perspectives on the challenges and future directions of microfluidics-based nanomedicine evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi He
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
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25
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Osaki T, Shin Y, Sivathanu V, Campisi M, Kamm RD. In Vitro Microfluidic Models for Neurodegenerative Disorders. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7. [PMID: 28881425 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices enable novel means of emulating neurodegenerative disease pathophysiology in vitro. These organ-on-a-chip systems can potentially reduce animal testing and substitute (or augment) simple 2D culture systems. Reconstituting critical features of neurodegenerative diseases in a biomimetic system using microfluidics can thereby accelerate drug discovery and improve our understanding of the mechanisms of several currently incurable diseases. This review describes latest advances in modeling neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. First, this study summarizes fundamental advantages of microfluidic devices in the creation of compartmentalized cell culture microenvironments for the co-culture of neurons, glial cells, endothelial cells, and skeletal muscle cells and in their recapitulation of spatiotemporal chemical gradients and mechanical microenvironments. Then, this reviews neurodegenerative-disease-on-a-chip models focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Finally, this study discusses about current drawbacks of these models and strategies that may overcome them. These organ-on-chip technologies can be useful to be the first line of testing line in drug development and toxicology studies, which can contribute significantly to minimize the phase of animal testing steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Osaki
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Yoojin Shin
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Vivek Sivathanu
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringPolitecnico di Torino Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 10129 Torino Italy
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square, MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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26
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Huang G, Li F, Zhao X, Ma Y, Li Y, Lin M, Jin G, Lu TJ, Genin GM, Xu F. Functional and Biomimetic Materials for Engineering of the Three-Dimensional Cell Microenvironment. Chem Rev 2017; 117:12764-12850. [PMID: 28991456 PMCID: PMC6494624 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 469] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cell microenvironment has emerged as a key determinant of cell behavior and function in development, physiology, and pathophysiology. The extracellular matrix (ECM) within the cell microenvironment serves not only as a structural foundation for cells but also as a source of three-dimensional (3D) biochemical and biophysical cues that trigger and regulate cell behaviors. Increasing evidence suggests that the 3D character of the microenvironment is required for development of many critical cell responses observed in vivo, fueling a surge in the development of functional and biomimetic materials for engineering the 3D cell microenvironment. Progress in the design of such materials has improved control of cell behaviors in 3D and advanced the fields of tissue regeneration, in vitro tissue models, large-scale cell differentiation, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. However, the field is still in its infancy, and discoveries about the nature of cell-microenvironment interactions continue to overturn much early progress in the field. Key challenges continue to be dissecting the roles of chemistry, structure, mechanics, and electrophysiology in the cell microenvironment, and understanding and harnessing the roles of periodicity and drift in these factors. This review encapsulates where recent advances appear to leave the ever-shifting state of the art, and it highlights areas in which substantial potential and uncertainty remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyou Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Fei Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science,
Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic
of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical
Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong,
People’s Republic of China
| | - Yufei Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Min Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Guorui Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Tian Jian Lu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Multifunctional Materials
and Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049,
People’s Republic of China
| | - Guy M. Genin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering &
Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis 63130, MO,
USA
- NSF Science and Technology Center for
Engineering MechanoBiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis 63130,
MO, USA
| | - Feng Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information
Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an 710049, People’s Republic of China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
(BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, People’s
Republic of China
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Li Y, Jang JH, Wang C, He B, Zhang K, Zhang P, Vu T, Qin L. Microfluidics Cell Loading-Dock System: Ordered Cellular Array for Dynamic Lymphocyte-Communication Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 1:e1700085. [PMID: 32646193 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
It remains a great challenge to establish a high-throughput platform that can explore the interactions among multiple lymphocytes (>2 cells) and retrieve the interested cells for downstream analysis. This study demonstrates a microfluidics cell loading-dock system (Cell-Dock) to enclose multiple cells in 1D, 2D, and 3D chambers with high throughput and efficiency and single-cell accuracy. The loading efficiencies of 95%, 85%, and 74% for one-, three-, and five-cell systems are achieved, respectively. The Cell-Dock system provides precise and dynamic cell packing models to facilitate lymphocyte-interaction studies. The results demonstrate that individual natural killer (NK) cells may function independently rather than cooperate to lyse target cells in the defined microenvironment. Furthermore, the strong/weak NK cells are retrieved based on their on-chip cytotoxicity and mRNA sequencing is conducted to find the possible mechanisms for "serial killing," an important but unsolved issue. This study finds that the stronger NK cells overexpress multiple genes involved in cytotoxicity and adhesion molecules (including the well-known ICAM1 and seldom reported B4GALT1) might play important roles in the regulation of NK cytolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Joon Hee Jang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Crystal Wang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Bangshun He
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Central Laboratory, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Pengchao Zhang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Timothy Vu
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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28
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Vu TQ, de Castro RMB, Qin L. Bridging the gap: microfluidic devices for short and long distance cell-cell communication. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1009-1023. [PMID: 28205652 PMCID: PMC5473339 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01367h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is a crucial component of many biological functions. For example, understanding how immune cells and cancer cells interact, both at the immunological synapse and through cytokine secretion, can help us understand and improve cancer immunotherapy. The study of how cells communicate and form synaptic connections is important in neuroscience, ophthalmology, and cancer research. But in order to increase our understanding of these cellular phenomena, better tools need to be developed that allow us to study cell-cell communication in a highly controlled manner. Some technical requirements for better communication studies include manipulating cells spatiotemporally, high resolution imaging, and integrating sensors. Microfluidics is a powerful platform that has the ability to address these requirements and other current limitations. In this review, we describe some new advances in microfluidic technologies that have provided researchers with novel methods to study intercellular communication. The advantages of microfluidics have allowed for new capabilities in both single cell-cell communication and population-based communication. This review highlights microfluidic communication devices categorized as "short distance", or primarily at the single cell level, and "long distance", which mostly encompasses population level studies. Future directions and translation/commercialization will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Quang Vu
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ricardo Miguel Bessa de Castro
- College of Engineering, Swansea University Singleton Park, Swansea, UK and Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA. and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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29
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Chaudhuri PK, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, Jing T, Kenry, Lim CT. Microfluidics for research and applications in oncology. Analyst 2017; 141:504-24. [PMID: 26010996 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00382b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is currently one of the top non-communicable human diseases, and continual research and developmental efforts are being made to better understand and manage this disease. More recently, with the improved understanding in cancer biology as well as the advancements made in microtechnology and rapid prototyping, microfluidics is increasingly being explored and even validated for use in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With inherent advantages such as small sample volume, high sensitivity and fast processing time, microfluidics is well-positioned to serve as a promising platform for applications in oncology. In this review, we look at the recent advances in the use of microfluidics, from basic research such as understanding cancer cell phenotypes as well as metastatic behaviors to applications such as the detection, diagnosis, prognosis and drug screening. We then conclude with a future outlook on this promising technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602 and School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Tengyang Jing
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602 and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575.
| | - Kenry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575. and NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411 and BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, Singapore 138602
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30
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Sarkar S, Sabhachandani P, Stroopinsky D, Palmer K, Cohen N, Rosenblatt J, Avigan D, Konry T. Dynamic analysis of immune and cancer cell interactions at single cell level in microfluidic droplets. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2016; 10:054115. [PMID: 27795747 PMCID: PMC5065572 DOI: 10.1063/1.4964716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication mediates immune responses to physiological stimuli at local and systemic levels. Intercellular communication occurs via a direct contact between cells as well as by secretory contact-independent mechanisms. However, there are few existing methods that allow quantitative resolution of contact-dependent and independent cellular processes in a rapid, precisely controlled, and dynamic format. This study utilizes a high-throughput microfluidic droplet array platform to analyze cell-cell interaction and effector functions at single cell level. Controlled encapsulation of distinct heterotypic cell pairs was achieved in a single-step cell loading process. Dynamic analysis of dendritic cell (DC)-T cell interactions demonstrated marked heterogeneity in the type of contact and duration. Non-stimulated DCs and T cells interacted less frequently and more transiently while antigen and chemokine-loaded DCs and T cells depicted highly stable interactions in addition to transient and sequential contact. The effector function of CD8+ T cells was assessed via cytolysis of multiple myeloma cell line. Variable cell conjugation periods and killing time were detected irrespective of the activation of T cells, although activated T cells delivered significantly higher cytotoxicity. T cell alloreactivity against the target cells was partially mediated by secretion of interferon gamma, which was abrogated by the addition of a neutralizing antibody. These results suggest that the droplet array-based microfluidic platform is a powerful technique for dynamic phenotypic screening and potentially applicable for evaluation of novel cell-based immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sarkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - P Sabhachandani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - D Stroopinsky
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - K Palmer
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - N Cohen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - J Rosenblatt
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - D Avigan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - T Konry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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31
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Patel D, Haque A, Gao Y, Revzin A. Using reconfigurable microfluidics to study the role of HGF in autocrine and paracrine signaling of hepatocytes. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 7:815-24. [PMID: 26108037 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00105f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer, developmental biology and tissue injury present multiple examples where groups of cells residing in close proximity communicate via paracrine factors. It is nearly impossible to dissect such cellular interactions in vivo and is quite challenging in vitro. The goal of this study is to utilize a reconfigurable microfluidic device in order to study paracrine signal exchange between groups of primary hepatocytes in vitro. Previously, we demonstrated that hepatocytes residing on protein spots containing collagen and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) spots expressed epithelial (hepatic) phenotypes and also rescued them in neighboring hepatocytes on collagen spots that did not receive direct HGF stimulus. Herein, we designed a microfluidic device with parallel fluidic channels separated by retractable (reconfigurable) walls and employed this device to investigate interactions between groups of HGF-stimulated and unstimulated hepatocytes. Using a novel reconfigurable microfluidic device, we demonstrate that cultivation of HGF-containing protein spots upregulates the production of endogenous HGF in hepatocytes and that these HGF molecules diffuse over, causing phenotype enhancement in the recipient cells. We also show that selective treatment of the recipient hepatocytes with a c-met inhibitor (SU11274) diminishes the rescue effect, as gauged by the down-regulation of albumin and HGF expression. Our study is one of the first to demonstrate paracrine signaling via HGF in primary hepatocytes. More broadly, tools and methods described here may be used to study paracrine signaling in other types of cells and will have relevance for various fields of biomedical research from cancer to immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipali Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, 451 East Health Sciences St. #2619, Davis, CA, USA.
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32
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Soffe R, Baratchi S, Tang SY, Mitchell A, McIntyre P, Khoshmanesh K. Concurrent shear stress and chemical stimulation of mechano-sensitive cells by discontinuous dielectrophoresis. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2016; 10:024117. [PMID: 27099646 PMCID: PMC4826375 DOI: 10.1063/1.4945309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic platforms enable a variety of physical or chemical stimulation of single or multiple cells to be examined and monitored in real-time. To date, intracellular calcium signalling research is, however, predominantly focused on observing the response of cells to a single mode of stimulation; consequently, the sensitising/desensitising of cell responses under concurrent stimuli is not well studied. In this paper, we provide an extended Discontinuous Dielectrophoresis procedure to investigate the sensitising of chemical stimulation, over an extensive range of shear stress, up to 63 dyn/cm(2), which encompasses shear stresses experienced in the arterial and venus systems (10 to 60 dyn/cm(2)). Furthermore, the TRPV4-selective agonist GSK1016790A, a form of chemical stimulation, did not influence the ability of the cells' to remain immobilised under high levels of shear stress; thus, enabling us to investigate shear stress stimulation on agonism. Our experiments revealed that shear stress sensitises GSK1016790A-evoked intracellular calcium signalling of cells in a shear-stimulus dependent manner, as observed through a reduction in the cellular response time and an increase in the pharmacological efficacy. Consequently, suggesting that the role of TRPV4 may be underestimated in endothelial cells-which experience high levels of shear stress. This study highlights the importance of conducting studies at high levels of shear stress. Additionally, our approach will be valuable for examining the effect of high levels of shear on different cell types under different conditions, as presented here for agonist activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Soffe
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- School of Medical and Biomedical Science, RMIT University , Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Shi-Yang Tang
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Arnan Mitchell
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Peter McIntyre
- School of Medical and Biomedical Science, RMIT University , Victoria 3083, Australia
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33
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Three-dimensional manipulation of single cells using surface acoustic waves. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:1522-7. [PMID: 26811444 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1524813113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of surface acoustic waves to trap and manipulate micrometer-scale particles and biological cells has led to many applications involving "acoustic tweezers" in biology, chemistry, engineering, and medicine. Here, we present 3D acoustic tweezers, which use surface acoustic waves to create 3D trapping nodes for the capture and manipulation of microparticles and cells along three mutually orthogonal axes. In this method, we use standing-wave phase shifts to move particles or cells in-plane, whereas the amplitude of acoustic vibrations is used to control particle motion along an orthogonal plane. We demonstrate, through controlled experiments guided by simulations, how acoustic vibrations result in micromanipulations in a microfluidic chamber by invoking physical principles that underlie the formation and regulation of complex, volumetric trapping nodes of particles and biological cells. We further show how 3D acoustic tweezers can be used to pick up, translate, and print single cells and cell assemblies to create 2D and 3D structures in a precise, noninvasive, label-free, and contact-free manner.
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34
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Alicia TGG, Yang C, Wang Z, Nguyen NT. Combinational concentration gradient confinement through stagnation flow. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:368-76. [PMID: 26671507 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01137j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Concentration gradient generation in microfluidics is typically constrained by two conflicting mass transport requirements: short characteristic times (τ) for precise temporal control of concentration gradients but at the expense of high flow rates and hence, high flow shear stresses (σ). To decouple the limitations from these parameters, here we propose the use of stagnation flows to confine concentration gradients within large velocity gradients that surround the stagnation point. We developed a modified cross-slot (MCS) device capable of feeding binary and combinational concentration sources in stagnation flows. We show that across the velocity well, source-sink pairs can form permanent concentration gradients. As source-sink concentration pairs are continuously supplied to the MCS, a permanently stable concentration gradient can be generated. Tuning the flow rates directly controls the velocity gradients, and hence the stagnation point location, allowing the confined concentration gradient to be focused. In addition, the flow rate ratio within the MCS rapidly controls (τ ∼ 50 ms) the location of the stagnation point and the confined combinational concentration gradients at low flow shear (0.2 Pa < σ < 2.9 Pa). The MCS device described in this study establishes the method for using stagnation flows to rapidly generate and position low shear combinational concentration gradients for shear sensitive biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toh G G Alicia
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore. and Microfluidics Manufacturing Programme, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, 63807 Singapore
| | - Chun Yang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore.
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Microfluidics Manufacturing Programme, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, 63807 Singapore
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- QLD Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road QLD 4111, Australia.
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35
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Sarkar S, Cohen N, Sabhachandani P, Konry T. Phenotypic drug profiling in droplet microfluidics for better targeting of drug-resistant tumors. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:4441-50. [PMID: 26456240 PMCID: PMC4666301 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00923e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance is a key factor in the failure of chemotherapy. Due to intratumoral heterogeneity, cancer cells depict variations in intracellular drug uptake and efflux at the single cell level, which may not be detectable in bulk assays. In this study we present a droplet microfluidics-based approach to assess the dynamics of drug uptake, efflux and cytotoxicity in drug-sensitive and drug-resistant breast cancer cells. An integrated droplet generation and docking microarray was utilized to encapsulate single cells as well as homotypic cell aggregates. Drug-sensitive cells showed greater death in the presence or absence of Doxorubicin (Dox) compared to the drug-resistant cells. We observed heterogeneous Dox uptake in individual drug-sensitive cells while the drug-resistant cells showed uniformly low uptake and retention. Dox-resistant cells were classified into distinct subsets based on their efflux properties. Cells that showed longer retention of extracellular reagents also demonstrated maximal death. We further observed homotypic fusion of both cell types in droplets, which resulted in increased cell survival in the presence of high doses of Dox. Our results establish the applicability of this microfluidic platform for quantitative drug screening in single cells and multicellular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sarkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 02115 MA, USA.
| | - N Cohen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 02115 MA, USA.
| | - P Sabhachandani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 02115 MA, USA.
| | - T Konry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 02115 MA, USA.
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36
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Esfandiari F, Mashinchian O, Ashtiani MK, Ghanian MH, Hayashi K, Saei AA, Mahmoudi M, Baharvand H. Possibilities in Germ Cell Research: An Engineering Insight. Trends Biotechnol 2015; 33:735-746. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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37
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Integrative Utilization of Microenvironments, Biomaterials and Computational Techniques for Advanced Tissue Engineering. J Biotechnol 2015; 212:71-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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38
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Soffe R, Baratchi S, Tang SY, Nasabi M, McIntyre P, Mitchell A, Khoshmanesh K. Analysing calcium signalling of cells under high shear flows using discontinuous dielectrophoresis. Sci Rep 2015. [PMID: 26202725 PMCID: PMC4648442 DOI: 10.1038/srep11973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Immobilisation of cells is an important feature of many cellular assays, as it enables the physical/chemical stimulation of cells; whilst, monitoring cellular processes using microscopic techniques. Current approaches for immobilising cells, however, are hampered by time-consuming processes, the need for specific antibodies or coatings, and adverse effects on cell integrity. Here, we present a dielectrophoresis-based approach for the robust immobilisation of cells, and analysis of their responses under high shear flows. This approach is quick and label-free, and more importantly, minimises the adverse effects of electric field on the cell integrity, by activating the field for a short duration of 120 s, just long enough to immobilise the cells, after which cell culture media (such as HEPES) is flushed through the platform. In optimal conditions, at least 90% of the cells remained stably immobilised, when exposed to a shear stress of 63 dyn/cm2. This approach was used to examine the shear-induced calcium signalling of HEK-293 cells expressing a mechanosensitive ion channel, transient receptor potential vaniloid type 4 (TRPV4), when exposed to the full physiological range of shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Soffe
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- Health Innovations Research Institute and School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shi-Yang Tang
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mahyar Nasabi
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter McIntyre
- Health Innovations Research Institute and School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Arnan Mitchell
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Khashayar Khoshmanesh
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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39
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Saalfrank D, Konduri AK, Latifi S, Habibey R, Golabchi A, Martiniuc AV, Knoll A, Ingebrandt S, Blau A. Incubator-independent cell-culture perfusion platform for continuous long-term microelectrode array electrophysiology and time-lapse imaging. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:150031. [PMID: 26543581 PMCID: PMC4632545 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Most in vitro electrophysiology studies extract information and draw conclusions from representative, temporally limited snapshot experiments. This approach bears the risk of missing decisive moments that may make a difference in our understanding of physiological events. This feasibility study presents a simple benchtop cell-culture perfusion system adapted to commercial microelectrode arrays (MEAs), multichannel electrophysiology equipment and common inverted microscopy stages for simultaneous and uninterrupted extracellular electrophysiology and time-lapse imaging at ambient CO2 levels. The concept relies on a transparent, replica-casted polydimethylsiloxane perfusion cap, gravity- or syringe-pump-driven perfusion and preconditioning of pH-buffered serum-free cell-culture medium to ambient CO2 levels at physiological temperatures. The low-cost microfluidic in vitro enabling platform, which allows us to image cultures immediately after cell plating, is easy to reproduce and is adaptable to the geometries of different cell-culture containers. It permits the continuous and simultaneous multimodal long-term acquisition or manipulation of optical and electrophysiological parameter sets, thereby considerably widening the range of experimental possibilities. Two exemplary proof-of-concept long-term MEA studies on hippocampal networks illustrate system performance. Continuous extracellular recordings over a period of up to 70 days revealed details on both sudden and gradual neural activity changes in maturing cell ensembles with large intra-day fluctuations. Correlated time-lapse imaging unveiled rather static macroscopic network architectures with previously unreported local morphological oscillations on the timescale of minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Saalfrank
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
- Department of Informatics and Microsystem Technology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Amerikastraße 1, Zweibrücken 66482, Germany
| | - Anil Krishna Konduri
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Shahrzad Latifi
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Asiyeh Golabchi
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Aurel Vasile Martiniuc
- Computer Science Department VI, Technical University Munich (TUM), Boltzmannstraße 3, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Alois Knoll
- Computer Science Department VI, Technical University Munich (TUM), Boltzmannstraße 3, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Sven Ingebrandt
- Department of Informatics and Microsystem Technology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Amerikastraße 1, Zweibrücken 66482, Germany
| | - Axel Blau
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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40
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Frank T, Tay S. Automated co-culture system for spatiotemporal analysis of cell-to-cell communication. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:2192-200. [PMID: 25892510 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00182j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We present a microfluidic co-culture system that generates localized and precisely formulated immune signals among a population of cells, enabling spatiotemporal analysis of paracrine signal transmission between different cell types. The automated system allows us to create temporally modulated chemical inputs that can be delivered to single signal-transmitting and receiving cells in a highly controlled way. Using this system we stimulated a single macrophage with brief pulses of bacterial LPS and observed the macrophage transmitted TNF signal propagating in a population of fibroblasts via NF-κB activation. The signal receiving fibroblasts transformed the TNF signal into a spatiotemporally distributed NF-κB output, recapitulating the initiation of immune response to bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Frank
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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41
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Guo F, Li P, French JB, Mao Z, Zhao H, Li S, Nama N, Fick JR, Benkovic SJ, Huang TJ. Controlling cell-cell interactions using surface acoustic waves. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015. [PMID: 25535339 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1422068112201422068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions between pairs of cells and within multicellular assemblies are critical to many biological processes such as intercellular communication, tissue and organ formation, immunological reactions, and cancer metastasis. The ability to precisely control the position of cells relative to one another and within larger cellular assemblies will enable the investigation and characterization of phenomena not currently accessible by conventional in vitro methods. We present a versatile surface acoustic wave technique that is capable of controlling the intercellular distance and spatial arrangement of cells with micrometer level resolution. This technique is, to our knowledge, among the first of its kind to marry high precision and high throughput into a single extremely versatile and wholly biocompatible technology. We demonstrated the capabilities of the system to precisely control intercellular distance, assemble cells with defined geometries, maintain cellular assemblies in suspension, and translate these suspended assemblies to adherent states, all in a contactless, biocompatible manner. As an example of the power of this system, this technology was used to quantitatively investigate the gap junctional intercellular communication in several homotypic and heterotypic populations by visualizing the transfer of fluorescent dye between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Guo
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Jarrod B French
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Zhangming Mao
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Sixing Li
- The Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Biosciences (MCIBS) Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; and
| | - Nitesh Nama
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - James R Fick
- Medical School, Penn State Hershey Medical Group, Penn State Hershey Neurosurgery, State College, PA 16802
| | - Stephen J Benkovic
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802;
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802;
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42
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Abstract
The interactions between pairs of cells and within multicellular assemblies are critical to many biological processes such as intercellular communication, tissue and organ formation, immunological reactions, and cancer metastasis. The ability to precisely control the position of cells relative to one another and within larger cellular assemblies will enable the investigation and characterization of phenomena not currently accessible by conventional in vitro methods. We present a versatile surface acoustic wave technique that is capable of controlling the intercellular distance and spatial arrangement of cells with micrometer level resolution. This technique is, to our knowledge, among the first of its kind to marry high precision and high throughput into a single extremely versatile and wholly biocompatible technology. We demonstrated the capabilities of the system to precisely control intercellular distance, assemble cells with defined geometries, maintain cellular assemblies in suspension, and translate these suspended assemblies to adherent states, all in a contactless, biocompatible manner. As an example of the power of this system, this technology was used to quantitatively investigate the gap junctional intercellular communication in several homotypic and heterotypic populations by visualizing the transfer of fluorescent dye between cells.
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Nahavandi S, Tang SY, Baratchi S, Soffe R, Nahavandi S, Kalantar-zadeh K, Mitchell A, Khoshmanesh K. Microfluidic platforms for the investigation of intercellular signalling mechanisms. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2014; 10:4810-26. [PMID: 25238429 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201401444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular signalling has been identified as a highly complex process, responsible for orchestrating many physiological functions. While conventional methods of investigation have been useful, their limitations are impeding further development. Microfluidics offers an opportunity to overcome some of these limitations. Most notably, microfluidic systems can emulate the in-vivo environments. Further, they enable exceptionally precise control of the microenvironment, allowing complex mechanisms to be selectively isolated and studied in detail. There has thus been a growing adoption of microfluidic platforms for investigation of cell signalling mechanisms. This review provides an overview of the different signalling mechanisms and discusses the methods used to study them, with a focus on the microfluidic devices developed for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Nahavandi
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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44
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Santana SM, Antonyak MA, Cerione RA, Kirby BJ. Cancerous epithelial cell lines shed extracellular vesicles with a bimodal size distribution that is sensitive to glutamine inhibition. Phys Biol 2014; 11:065001. [PMID: 25426818 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/11/6/065001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular shed vesicles (ESVs) facilitate a unique mode of cell-cell communication wherein vesicle uptake can induce a change in the recipient cell's state. Despite the intensity of ESV research, currently reported data represent the bulk characterization of concentrated vesicle samples with little attention paid to heterogeneity. ESV populations likely represent diversity in mechanisms of formation, cargo and size. To better understand ESV subpopulations and the signaling cascades implicated in their formation, we characterize ESV size distributions to identify subpopulations in normal and cancerous epithelial cells. We have discovered that cancer cells exhibit bimodal ESV distributions, one small-diameter and another large-diameter population, suggesting that two mechanisms may govern ESV formation, an exosome population and a cancer-specific microvesicle population. Altered glutamine metabolism in cancer is thought to fuel cancer growth but may also support metastatic niche formation through microvesicle production. We describe the role of a glutaminase inhibitor, compound 968, in ESV production. We have discovered that inhibiting glutamine metabolism significantly impairs large-diameter microvesicle production in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Michael Santana
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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45
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Li S, Guo F, Chen Y, Ding X, Li P, Wang L, Cameron CE, Huang TJ. Standing surface acoustic wave based cell coculture. Anal Chem 2014; 86:9853-9. [PMID: 25232648 PMCID: PMC4188268 DOI: 10.1021/ac502453z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Precise reconstruction of heterotypic cell-cell interactions in vitro requires the coculture of different cell types in a highly controlled manner. In this article, we report a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW)-based cell coculture platform. In our approach, different types of cells are patterned sequentially in the SSAW field to form an organized cell coculture. To validate our platform, we demonstrate a coculture of epithelial cancer cells and endothelial cells. Real-time monitoring of cell migration dynamics reveals increased cancer cell mobility when cancer cells are cocultured with endothelial cells. Our SSAW-based cell coculture platform has the advantages of contactless cell manipulation, high biocompatibility, high controllability, simplicity, and minimal interference of the cellular microenvironment. The SSAW technique demonstrated here can be a valuable analytical tool for various biological studies involving heterotypic cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixing Li
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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46
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Thompson AM, Paguirigan AL, Kreutz JE, Radich JP, Chiu DT. Microfluidics for single-cell genetic analysis. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:3135-42. [PMID: 24789374 PMCID: PMC4117719 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc00175c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ability to correlate single-cell genetic information to cellular phenotypes will provide the kind of detailed insight into human physiology and disease pathways that is not possible to infer from bulk cell analysis. Microfluidic technologies are attractive for single-cell manipulation due to precise handling and low risk of contamination. Additionally, microfluidic single-cell techniques can allow for high-throughput and detailed genetic analyses that increase accuracy and decrease reagent cost compared to bulk techniques. Incorporating these microfluidic platforms into research and clinical laboratory workflows can fill an unmet need in biology, delivering the highly accurate, highly informative data necessary to develop new therapies and monitor patient outcomes. In this perspective, we describe the current and potential future uses of microfluidics at all stages of single-cell genetic analysis, including cell enrichment and capture, single-cell compartmentalization and manipulation, and detection and analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Chen Y, Nawaz AA, Zhao Y, Huang PH, McCoy JP, Levine SJ, Wang L, Huang TJ. Standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW)-based microfluidic cytometer. LAB ON A CHIP 2014; 14:916-23. [PMID: 24406848 PMCID: PMC3956078 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc51139a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The development of microfluidic chip-based cytometers has become an important area due to their advantages of compact size and low cost. Herein, we demonstrate a sheathless microfluidic cytometer which integrates a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW)-based microdevice capable of 3D particle/cell focusing with a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system. Using SSAW, our microfluidic cytometer was able to continuously focus microparticles/cells at the pressure node inside a microchannel. Flow cytometry was successfully demonstrated using this system with a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 10% at a throughput of ~1000 events s(-1) when calibration beads were used. We also demonstrated that fluorescently labeled human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) could be effectively focused and detected with our SSAW-based system. This SSAW-based microfluidic cytometer did not require any sheath flows or complex structures, and it allowed for simple operation over a wide range of sample flow rates. Moreover, with the gentle, bio-compatible nature of low-power surface acoustic waves, this technique is expected to be able to preserve the integrity of cells and other bioparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Chen
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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48
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Fu CY, Tseng SY, Yang SM, Hsu L, Liu CH, Chang HY. A microfluidic chip with a U-shaped microstructure array for multicellular spheroid formation, culturing and analysis. Biofabrication 2014; 6:015009. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5082/6/1/015009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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49
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Chan CY, Huang PH, Guo F, Ding X, Kapur V, Mai JD, Yuen PK, Huang TJ. Accelerating drug discovery via organs-on-chips. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:4697-710. [PMID: 24193241 PMCID: PMC3998760 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc90115g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Considerable advances have been made in the development of micro-physiological systems that seek to faithfully replicate the complexity and functionality of animal and human physiology in research laboratories. Sometimes referred to as "organs-on-chips", these systems provide key insights into physiological or pathological processes associated with health maintenance and disease control, and serve as powerful platforms for new drug development and toxicity screening. In this Focus article, we review the state-of-the-art designs and examples for developing multiple "organs-on-chips", and discuss the potential of this emerging technology to enhance our understanding of human physiology, and to transform and accelerate the drug discovery and preclinical testing process. This Focus article highlights some of the recent technological advances in this field, along with the challenges that must be addressed for these technologies to fully realize their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Yu Chan
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ; Fax: +1 814-865-9974; Tel: +1 814-863-4209
| | - Po-Hsun Huang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ; Fax: +1 814-865-9974; Tel: +1 814-863-4209
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ; Fax: +1 814-865-9974; Tel: +1 814-863-4209
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ; Fax: +1 814-865-9974; Tel: +1 814-863-4209
| | - Vivek Kapur
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - John D. Mai
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Po Ki Yuen
- Science & Technology, Corning Incorporated, Corning, New York, 14831-0001, USA. ; Fax: +1 607-974-5957; Tel: +1 607- 974-9680
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ; Fax: +1 814-865-9974; Tel: +1 814-863-4209
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