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Licciardello M, Traldi C, Cicolini M, Bertana V, Marasso SL, Cocuzza M, Tonda-Turo C, Ciardelli G. A miniaturized multicellular platform to mimic the 3D structure of the alveolar-capillary barrier. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1346660. [PMID: 38646009 PMCID: PMC11026571 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1346660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Several diseases affect the alveoli, and the efficacy of medical treatments and pharmaceutical therapies is hampered by the lack of pre-clinical models able to recreate in vitro the diseases. Microfluidic devices, mimicking the key structural and compositional features of the alveoli, offer several advantages to medium and high-throughput analysis of new candidate therapies. Here, we developed an alveolus-on-a-chip recapitulating the microanatomy of the physiological tissue by including the epithelium, the fibrous interstitial layer and the capillary endothelium. A PDMS device was obtained assembling a top layer and a bottom layer obtained by replica molding. A polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL-Gel) electrospun membrane was included within the two layers supporting the seeding of 3 cell phenotypes. Epithelial cells were grown on a fibroblast-laden collagen hydrogel located on the top side of the PCL-Gel mats while endothelial cells were seeded on the basolateral side of the membrane. The innovative design of the microfluidic device allows to replicate both cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions according to the in vivo cell arrangement along with the establishment of physiologically relevant air-liquid interface conditions. Indeed, high cell viability was confirmed for up to 10 days and the formation of a tight endothelial and epithelial barrier was assessed by immunofluorescence assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Licciardello
- La.Di.Spe Bioengineerig, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Turin, Italy
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
| | - Cecilia Traldi
- La.Di.Spe Bioengineerig, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Turin, Italy
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
| | - Martina Cicolini
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- ChiLab- Materials and Microsystems Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Chivasso, Italy
| | - Valentina Bertana
- ChiLab- Materials and Microsystems Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Chivasso, Italy
| | - Simone Luigi Marasso
- ChiLab- Materials and Microsystems Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Chivasso, Italy
- CNR-IMEM, National Research Council-Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Cocuzza
- ChiLab- Materials and Microsystems Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Chivasso, Italy
| | - Chiara Tonda-Turo
- La.Di.Spe Bioengineerig, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Turin, Italy
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ciardelli
- La.Di.Spe Bioengineerig, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Turin, Italy
- PolitoBIOMed Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research, Italy
- CNR-IPCF, National Research Council-Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, Pisa, Italy
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Cardoso BD, Castanheira EMS, Lanceros-Méndez S, Cardoso VF. Recent Advances on Cell Culture Platforms for In Vitro Drug Screening and Cell Therapies: From Conventional to Microfluidic Strategies. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202936. [PMID: 36898671 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The clinical translations of drugs and nanomedicines depend on coherent pharmaceutical research based on biologically accurate screening approaches. Since establishing the 2D in vitro cell culture method, the scientific community has improved cell-based drug screening assays and models. Those advances result in more informative biochemical assays and the development of 3D multicellular models to describe the biological complexity better and enhance the simulation of the in vivo microenvironment. Despite the overall dominance of conventional 2D and 3D cell macroscopic culture methods, they present physicochemical and operational challenges that impair the scale-up of drug screening by not allowing a high parallelization, multidrug combination, and high-throughput screening. Their combination and complementarity with microfluidic platforms enable the development of microfluidics-based cell culture platforms with unequivocal advantages in drug screening and cell therapies. Thus, this review presents an updated and consolidated view of cell culture miniaturization's physical, chemical, and operational considerations in the pharmaceutical research scenario. It clarifies advances in the field using gradient-based microfluidics, droplet-based microfluidics, printed-based microfluidics, digital-based microfluidics, SlipChip, and paper-based microfluidics. Finally, it presents a comparative analysis of the performance of cell-based methods in life research and development to achieve increased precision in the drug screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz D Cardoso
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisabete M S Castanheira
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez
- Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa, 48940, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Vanessa F Cardoso
- Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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3
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Li X, Liu X, Yu Z, Luo Y, Hu Q, Xu Z, Dai J, Wu N, Shen F. Combinatorial screening SlipChip for rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3952-3960. [PMID: 36106408 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00661h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by bacteria is a serious global threat, and a rapid, high-throughput, and easy-to-use phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) method is essential for making timely treatment decisions and controlling the spread of antibiotic resistant micro-organisms. Traditional culture-based methods are time-consuming, and their capability to screen against a large number of different conditions is limited; meanwhile genotypic based methods, including sequencing and PCR based methods, are constrained by rarely identified resistance genes and complicated resistance mechanisms. Here, a combinatorial-screening SlipChip (cs-SlipChip) containing 192 nanoliter-sized compartments is developed which can perform high-throughput phenotypic AST within three hours by monitoring the bacterial growth within nanoliter-sized droplets with bright-field imaging and analyzing the changes in bacterial number and morphology. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 against four antibiotics (ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and nitrofurantoin) can be measured in one chip within 3 hours. Furthermore, five antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains were isolated from patients diagnosed with urinary tract infections (UTIs), and an individual isolate was tested using four antibiotics and eleven antibiotic combinations simultaneously with three different concentrations of each. The results from the cs-SlipChip agree with those of a VITEK 2 automated system. This cs-SlipChip provides a practical high-throughput and rapid phenotypic method for AST and can also be used to screen different chemicals and antibiotic combinations for the treatment of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xu Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ziqing Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yang Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qixin Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhenye Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Dai
- Shanghai Institute of Phage, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Nannan Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Phage, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- CreatiPhage Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai, China.
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Liu X, Li X, Wu N, Luo Y, Zhang J, Yu Z, Shen F. Formation and Parallel Manipulation of Gradient Droplets on a Self-Partitioning SlipChip for Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. ACS Sens 2022; 7:1977-1984. [PMID: 35815869 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Flexible, robust, and user-friendly screening systems with a large dynamic range are highly desired in scientific research, industrial development, and clinical diagnostics. Droplet-based microfluidic systems with gradient concentrations of chemicals have been demonstrated as promising tools to provide confined microenvironments for screening tests with small reaction volumes. However, the generation and manipulation of gradient droplets, such as droplet merging, generally require sophisticated fluidic manipulation systems, potentially limiting their application in decentralized settings. We present a gradient-droplet SlipChip (gd-SlipChip) microfluidic device that enables instrument-free gradient droplet formation and parallel manipulation. The device can establish a gradient profile by free interfacial diffusion in a continuous fluidic channel. With a simple slipping step, gradient droplets can be generated by a surface tension-driven self-partitioning process. Additional reagents can be introduced in parallel to these gradient droplets with further slipping operations to initiate screening tests of the droplets over a large concentration range. To profile the concentration in the gradient droplets, we establish a numerical simulation model and verify it with hydrogen chloride (HCl) diffusion, as tested with a dual-color pH indicator (methyl orange and aniline blue). As a proof of concept, we tested this system with a gradient concentration of nitrofurantoin for the phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Escherichia coli. The results of our gd-SlipChip-based AST on both reference and clinical strains of E. coli can be indicated by the bacterial growth profile within 3 h and are consistent with the clinical culture-based AST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Nannan Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Phage, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yang Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jiajie Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ziqing Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Feng Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Hua Shan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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5
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Chen Z, Kheiri S, Young EWK, Kumacheva E. Trends in Droplet Microfluidics: From Droplet Generation to Biomedical Applications. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:6233-6248. [PMID: 35561292 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, droplet microfluidics has attracted growing interest in biology, medicine, and engineering. In this feature article, we review the advances in droplet microfluidics, primarily focusing on the research conducted by our group. Starting from the introduction to the mechanisms of microfluidic droplet formation and the strategies for cell encapsulation in droplets, we then focus on droplet transformation into microgels. Furthermore, we review three biomedical applications of droplet microfluidics, that is, 3D cell culture, single-cell analysis, and in vitro organ and disease modeling. We conclude with our perspective on future directions in the development of droplet microfluidics for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengkun Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6
| | - Sina Kheiri
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8
| | - Edmond W K Young
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Roseburgh Building, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Eugenia Kumacheva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Roseburgh Building, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E5
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6
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Wang Y, Gao Y, Yin Y, Pan Y, Wang Y, Song Y. Nanomaterial-assisted microfluidics for multiplex assays. Mikrochim Acta 2022; 189:139. [PMID: 35275267 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-022-05226-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous detection of different biomarkers from a single specimen in a single test, allowing more rapid, efficient, and low-cost analysis, is of great significance for accurate diagnosis of disease and efficient monitoring of therapy. Recently, developments in microfabrication and nanotechnology have advanced the integration of nanomaterials in microfluidic devices toward multiplex assays of biomarkers, combining both the advantages of microfluidics and the unique properties of nanomaterials. In this review, we focus on the state of the art in multiplexed detection of biomarkers based on nanomaterial-assisted microfluidics. Following an overview of the typical microfluidic analytical techniques and the most commonly used nanomaterials for biochemistry analysis, we highlight in detail the nanomaterial-assisted microfluidic strategies for different biomarkers. These highly integrated platforms with minimum sample consumption, high sensitivity and specificity, low detection limit, enhanced signals, and reduced detection time have been extensively applied in various domains and show great potential in future point-of-care testing and clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Wang
- Sino-French Engineer School, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yongchun Pan
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuzhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics & Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Yujun Song
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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7
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Catterton MA, Ball AG, Pompano RR. Rapid Fabrication by Digital Light Processing 3D Printing of a SlipChip with Movable Ports for Local Delivery to Ex Vivo Organ Cultures. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:993. [PMID: 34442615 PMCID: PMC8399530 DOI: 10.3390/mi12080993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
SlipChips are two-part microfluidic devices that can be reconfigured to change fluidic pathways for a wide range of functions, including tissue stimulation. Currently, fabrication of these devices at the prototype stage requires a skilled microfluidic technician, e.g., for wet etching or alignment steps. In most cases, SlipChip functionality requires an optically clear, smooth, and flat surface that is fluorophilic and hydrophobic. Here, we tested digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, which is rapid, reproducible, and easily shared, as a solution for fabrication of SlipChips at the prototype stage. As a case study, we sought to fabricate a SlipChip intended for local delivery to live tissue slices through a movable microfluidic port. The device was comprised of two multi-layer components: an enclosed channel with a delivery port and a culture chamber for tissue slices with a permeable support. Once the design was optimized, we demonstrated its function by locally delivering a chemical probe to slices of hydrogel and to living tissue with up to 120 µm spatial resolution. By establishing the design principles for 3D printing of SlipChip devices, this work will enhance the ability to rapidly prototype such devices at mid-scale levels of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Catterton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia College of Arts and Science, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
| | - Alexander G Ball
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA;
| | - Rebecca R Pompano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia College of Arts and Science, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
- Carter Immunology Center and UVA Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4259, USA
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8
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Mohamed NV, Lépine P, Lacalle-Aurioles M, Sirois J, Mathur M, Reintsch W, Beitel LK, Fon EA, Durcan TM. Microfabricated disk technology: rapid scale up in midbrain organoid generation. Methods 2021; 203:465-477. [PMID: 34314827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
By providing a three-dimensional in vitro culture system with key features of the substantia nigra region in the brain, 3D neuronal organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide living neuronal tissue resembling the midbrain region of the brain. However, a major limitation of conventional brain organoid culture is that it is often labor-intensive, requiring highly specialized personnel for moderate throughput. Additionally, the methods published for long-term cultures require time-consuming maintenance to generate brain organoids in large numbers. With the increasing need for human midbrain organoids (hMOs) to better understand and model Parkinson's disease (PD) in a dish, there is a need to implement new workflows and methods to both generate and maintain hMOs, while minimizing batch to batch variation. In this study, we developed a method with microfabricated disks to scale up the generation of hMOs. This opens up the possibility to generate larger numbers of hMOs, in a manner that minimizes the amount of labor required, while decreasing variability and maintaining the viability of these hMOs over time. Taken together, producing hMOs in this manner opens up the potential for these to be used to further PD studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen-Vi Mohamed
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Paula Lépine
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - María Lacalle-Aurioles
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Julien Sirois
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Meghna Mathur
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Reintsch
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lenore K Beitel
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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Przystupski D, Górska A, Michel O, Podwin A, Śniadek P, Łapczyński R, Saczko J, Kulbacka J. Testing Lab-on-a-Chip Technology for Culturing Human Melanoma Cells under Simulated Microgravity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:402. [PMID: 33499085 PMCID: PMC7866167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic development of the space industry makes space flights more accessible and opens up new opportunities for biological research to better understand cell physiology under real microgravity. Whereas specialized studies in space remain out of our reach, preliminary experiments can be performed on Earth under simulated microgravity (sµg). Based on this concept, we used a 3D-clinostat (3D-C) to analyze the effect of short exposure to sµg on human keratinocytes HaCaT and melanoma cells A375 cultured on all-glass Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC). Our preliminary studies included viability evaluation, mitochondrial and caspase activity, and proliferation assay, enabling us to determine the effect of sµg on human cells. By comparing the results concerning cells cultured on LOCs and standard culture dishes, we were able to confirm the biocompatibility of all-glass LOCs and their potential application in microgravity research on selected human cell lines. Our studies revealed that HaCaT and A375 cells are susceptible to simulated microgravity; however, we observed an increased caspase activity and a decrease of proliferation in cancer cells cultured on LOCs in comparison to standard cell cultures. These results are an excellent basis to conduct further research on the possible application of LOCs systems in cancer research in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Przystupski
- Department of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.G.); (J.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Agata Górska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.G.); (J.S.); (J.K.)
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Olga Michel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.G.); (J.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Podwin
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (A.P.); (P.Ś.)
| | - Patrycja Śniadek
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (A.P.); (P.Ś.)
| | | | - Jolanta Saczko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.G.); (J.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.G.); (J.S.); (J.K.)
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10
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Sarkar S, Peng CC, Tung YC. Comparison of VEGF-A secretion from tumor cells under cellular stresses in conventional monolayer culture and microfluidic three-dimensional spheroid models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240833. [PMID: 33175874 PMCID: PMC7657494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major cytokine in tumor biology affecting tumor survival, aggressiveness and pro-angiogenetic activities. In addition, cellular stresses often result in aggressive pro-angiogenetic behavior in tumors. For in vitro study, conventional monolayer cell culture has been broadly exploited; however, it often provides limited information due to its different microenvironment from that in vivo. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) cell spheroid culture provides in vivo-like microenvironments to study tumor biology and their survival mechanisms with better predictive power. In this work, vascular endothelial growth factor of type A (VEGF-A) secretion from osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells cultured using monolayer and 3D spheroid models under two stress conditions: nutrient deficiency (reduced serum culture) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) inhibition (HIF inhibitor, YC-1) are characterized and systematically compared. In order to obtain ample sample size for consistent characterization of cellular responses from cancer spheroids under the stresses and compare the responses to those from the conventional monolayer model, a microfluidic spheroid formation and culture device is utilized in the experiments. In the analysis, cell viability is estimated from captured images, and quantification of VEGF-A secreted from the cells is achieved using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The experimental results show that the viabilities decrease when the cells face higher stress levels in both monolayer and 3D spheroid culture models; however, the VEGF-A secretion profiles between the cell culture models are different. The VEGF-A secretion decreases when the cells face higher stress conditions in the monolayer cell culture. In contrast, for the 3D spheroid culture, the VEGF-A concentration decreases for low stress levels but increases while the stress level is high. The VEGF-A regulation in the 3D models mimics in vivo cases of tumor survival and can provide insightful information to investigate tumor angiogenesis in vitro. The approach developed in this paper provides an efficient method to quantitatively and statistically study tumor growth kinetics and stress responses from highly uniform samples and it can also be applied to compare the underlying biomolecular mechanisms in monolayer and 3D spheroid culture models to elucidate the effects of microenvironments on cellular response in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreerupa Sarkar
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), Nano Science and Technology Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chung Peng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Tung
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), Nano Science and Technology Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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11
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Lyu W, Yu M, Qu H, Yu Z, Du W, Shen F. Slip-driven microfluidic devices for nucleic acid analysis. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:041502. [PMID: 31312285 PMCID: PMC6625959 DOI: 10.1063/1.5109270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Slip-driven microfluidic devices can manipulate fluid by the relative movement of microfluidic plates that are in close contact. Since the demonstration of the first SlipChip device, many slip-driven microfluidic devices with different form factors have been developed, including SlipPAD, SlipDisc, sliding stripe, and volumetric bar chart chip. Slip-driven microfluidic devices can be fabricated from glass, quartz, polydimethylsiloxane, paper, and plastic with various fabrication methods: etching, casting, wax printing, laser cutting, micromilling, injection molding, etc. The slipping operation of the devices can be performed manually, by a micrometer with a base station, or autonomously, by a clockwork mechanism. A variety of readout methods other than fluorescence microscopy have been demonstrated, including both fluorescence detection and colorimetric detection by mobile phones, direct visual detection, and real-time fluorescence imaging. This review will focus on slip-driven microfluidic devices for nucleic acid analysis, including multiplex nucleic acid detection, digital nucleic acid quantification, real-time nucleic acid amplification, and sample-in-answer-out nucleic acid analysis. Slip-driven microfluidic devices present promising approaches for both life science research and clinical molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyuan Lyu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Mengchao Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Haijun Qu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | | | - Wenbin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Feng Shen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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12
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Chang CW, Seibel AJ, Song JW. Application of microscale culture technologies for studying lymphatic vessel biology. Microcirculation 2019; 26:e12547. [PMID: 30946511 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immense progress in microscale engineering technologies has significantly expanded the capabilities of in vitro cell culture systems for reconstituting physiological microenvironments that are mediated by biomolecular gradients, fluid transport, and mechanical forces. Here, we examine the innovative approaches based on microfabricated vessels for studying lymphatic biology. To help understand the necessary design requirements for microfluidic models, we first summarize lymphatic vessel structure and function. Next, we provide an overview of the molecular and biomechanical mediators of lymphatic vessel function. Then we discuss the past achievements and new opportunities for microfluidic culture models to a broad range of applications pertaining to lymphatic vessel physiology. We emphasize the unique attributes of microfluidic systems that enable the recapitulation of multiple physicochemical cues in vitro for studying lymphatic pathophysiology. Current challenges and future outlooks of microscale technology for studying lymphatics are also discussed. Collectively, we make the assertion that further progress in the development of microscale models will continue to enrich our mechanistic understanding of lymphatic biology and physiology to help realize the promise of the lymphatic vasculature as a therapeutic target for a broad spectrum of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Alex J Seibel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jonathan W Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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13
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Catterton MA, Dunn AF, Pompano RR. User-defined local stimulation of live tissue through a movable microfluidic port. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2003-2012. [PMID: 29904762 PMCID: PMC6039252 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00204e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Many in vivo tissue responses begin locally, yet most in vitro stimuli are delivered globally. Microfluidics has a unique ability to provide focal stimulation to tissue samples with precise control over fluid location, flow rate, and composition. However, previous devices utilizing fixed ports beneath the tissue required manual alignment of the tissue over the ports, increasing the risk of mechanical damage. Here we present a novel microfluidic device that allows the user to define the location of fluid delivery to a living tissue slice without manipulating the tissue itself. The device utilized a two-component SlipChip design to create a mobile port beneath the tissue slice. A culture chamber perforated by an array of ports housed a tissue slice and was separated by a layer of fluorocarbon oil from a single delivery port, fed by a microfluidic channel in the movable layer below. We derived and validated a physical model, based on interfacial tension and flow resistance, to predict the conditions under which fluid delivery occurred without leakage into the gap between layers. Aqueous solution was delivered reproducibly to samples of tissue and gel, and the width of the delivery region was controlled primarily by convection. Tissue slice viability was not affected by stimulation on the device. As a proof-of-principle, we showed that live slices of lymph node tissue could be sequentially targeted for precise stimulation. In the future this device may serve as a platform to study the effects of fluid flow in tissues and to perform local drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Catterton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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14
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Podwin A, Kubicki W, Dziuban JA. Study of the behavior of Euglena viridis, Euglena gracilis and Lepadella patella cultured in all-glass microaquarium. Biomed Microdevices 2017; 19:63. [PMID: 28688071 PMCID: PMC5501897 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-017-0205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the paper, the microaquarium fabricated in a form of entirely glass lab-on-a-chip for culturing and microscale study of microorganisms has been presented. A new approach towards cellular studies that brings a significant improvement over commonly utilized - polymer-based solutions has been shown. For the first time, all-borosilicate glass chip was applied for the culturing of the selected microorganisms and enabled notable population growth and behaviorism investigation. The chip fabrication method in comparison to typical glass chip technology was notably simplified, including quick patterning and low temperature bonding in 80 °C. In the studies, both a single-cell (Euglena gracilis and Euglena viridis) and multi-cell microorganisms (Lepadella patella) were cultured in the microaquarium. Behaviorism of the selected microorganisms was investigated by supplying various proportions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and air into the chip. Tests included studies of microorganisms chemotaxis, viability (mostly based on photosynthesis process) and coexistence in the lab-on-a-chip environment. The experiments confirmed that the developed chip is a tool that fits the requirements for the culturing and behavioral studies of microorganisms and constitute ground-works to propel its further application in broadly defined cellular study field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Podwin
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 11/17 Janiszewskiego St, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Kubicki
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 11/17 Janiszewskiego St, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jan A Dziuban
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 11/17 Janiszewskiego St, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
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15
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Lin CH, Wang CK, Chen YA, Peng CC, Liao WH, Tung YC. Measurement of in-plane elasticity of live cell layers using a pressure sensor embedded microfluidic device. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36425. [PMID: 27812019 PMCID: PMC5095558 DOI: 10.1038/srep36425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In various physiological activities, cells experience stresses along their in-plane direction when facing substrate deformation. Capability of continuous monitoring elasticity of live cell layers during a period is highly desired to investigate cell property variation during various transformations under normal or disease states. This paper reports time-lapsed measurement of live cell layer in-plane elasticity using a pressure sensor embedded microfluidic device. The sensor converts pressure-induced deformation of a flexible membrane to electrical signals. When cells are cultured on top of the membrane, flexural rigidity of the composite membrane increases and further changes the output electrical signals. In the experiments, human embryonic lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells are cultured and analyzed to estimate the in-plane elasticity. In addition, the cells are treated with a growth factor to simulate lung fibrosis to study the effects of cell transformation on the elasticity variation. For comparison, elasticity measurement on the cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is also performed. The experimental results confirm highly anisotropic configuration and material properties of cells. Furthermore, the in-plane elasticity can be monitored during the cell transformation after the growth factor stimulation. Consequently, the developed microfluidic device provides a powerful tool to study physical properties of cells for fundamental biophysics and biomedical researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Han Lin
- Academia Sinica, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Kai Wang
- Tamkang University, Department of Civil Engineering, New Taipei City, 25137, Taiwan
| | - Yu-An Chen
- National Taiwan University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chung Peng
- Academia Sinica, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hao Liao
- Academia Sinica, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Tung
- Academia Sinica, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
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16
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Popova AA, Demir K, Hartanto TG, Schmitt E, Levkin PA. Droplet-microarray on superhydrophobic–superhydrophilic patterns for high-throughput live cell screenings. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra06011k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplet-microarray platform based on superhydrophobic–superhydrophilic patterning allows for miniaturized high throughput drug and transfection screenings of live cells in separated nanoliter droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Popova
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Konstantin Demir
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Titus Genisius Hartanto
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Eric Schmitt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Pavel A. Levkin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
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