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Lim J, Fang HW, Bupphathong S, Sung PC, Yeh CE, Huang W, Lin CH. The Edifice of Vasculature-On-Chips: A Focused Review on the Key Elements and Assembly of Angiogenesis Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:3548-3567. [PMID: 38712543 PMCID: PMC11167599 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The conception of vascularized organ-on-a-chip models provides researchers with the ability to supply controlled biological and physical cues that simulate the in vivo dynamic microphysiological environment of native blood vessels. The intention of this niche research area is to improve our understanding of the role of the vasculature in health or disease progression in vitro by allowing researchers to monitor angiogenic responses and cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions in real time. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the essential elements, including cells, biomaterials, microenvironmental factors, microfluidic chip design, and standard validation procedures that currently govern angiogenesis-on-a-chip assemblies. In addition, we emphasize the importance of incorporating a microvasculature component into organ-on-chip devices in critical biomedical research areas, such as tissue engineering, drug discovery, and disease modeling. Ultimately, advances in this area of research could provide innovative solutions and a personalized approach to ongoing medical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Lim
- Graduate
Institute of Nanomedicine and Medical Engineering, College of Biomedical
Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Wei Fang
- High-value
Biomaterials Research and Commercialization Center, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
- Institute
of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan 35053, Taiwan
| | - Sasinan Bupphathong
- Graduate
Institute of Nanomedicine and Medical Engineering, College of Biomedical
Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- High-value
Biomaterials Research and Commercialization Center, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chan Sung
- School
of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chen-En Yeh
- School
of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Wei Huang
- Department
of Orthodontics, Rutgers School of Dental
Medicine, Newark, New Jersey 07103, United States
| | - Chih-Hsin Lin
- Graduate
Institute of Nanomedicine and Medical Engineering, College of Biomedical
Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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2
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Vo Q, Benam KH. Advancements in preclinical human-relevant modeling of pulmonary vasculature on-chip. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 195:106709. [PMID: 38246431 PMCID: PMC10939731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Preclinical human-relevant modeling of organ-specific vasculature offers a unique opportunity to recreate pathophysiological intercellular, tissue-tissue, and cell-matrix interactions for a broad range of applications. Lung vasculature is particularly important due to its involvement in genesis and progression of rare, debilitating disorders as well as common chronic pathologies. Here, we provide an overview of the latest advances in the development of pulmonary vascular (PV) models using emerging microfluidic tissue engineering technology Organs-on-Chips (so-called PV-Chips). We first review the currently reported PV-Chip systems and their key features, and then critically discuss their major limitations in reproducing in vivo-seen and disease-relevant cellularity, localization, and microstructure. We conclude by presenting latest efforts to overcome such technical and biological limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quoc Vo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kambez H Benam
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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3
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Sakai K, Miura S, Teshima TF, Goto T, Takeuchi S, Yamaguchi M. Small-artery-mimicking multi-layered 3D co-culture in a self-folding porous graphene-based film. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2023; 8:1529-1536. [PMID: 37782508 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00304c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
In vitro vessel-mimicking models have been spotlighted as a powerful tool for investigating cellular behaviours in vascular development and diseases. However, it is still challenging to create micro-scale tubular tissues while mimicking the structural features of small arteries. Here, we propose a 3D culture model of small vascular tissue using a self-folding graphene-based porous film. Vascular endothelial cells were encapsulated within the self-folding film to create a cellular construct with a controlled curvature radius ranging from 10 to 100 μm, which is comparable to the size of a human arteriole. Additionally, vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were separately co-cultured on the inner and outer surfaces of the folded film, respectively. The porous wall worked as a permeable barrier between them, affecting the cell-cell communications like the extracellular layer in the artery wall. Thus, the culture model recapitulates the structural features of a small artery and will help us better understand intercellular communications at the artery wall in physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Sakai
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories and Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa, 243-0198, Japan.
| | - Shigenori Miura
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiko F Teshima
- Medical and Health Informatics Laboratories, NTT Research Incorporated, 940 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085, USA
| | - Toichiro Goto
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories and Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa, 243-0198, Japan.
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
- Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masumi Yamaguchi
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories and Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa, 243-0198, Japan.
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4
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Kasahara K, Muramatsu J, Kurashina Y, Miura S, Miyata S, Onoe H. Spatiotemporal single-cell tracking analysis in 3D tissues to reveal heterogeneous cellular response to mechanical stimuli. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf9917. [PMID: 37831766 PMCID: PMC10575577 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf9917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli have been recognized as important for tissue maturation, homeostasis and constructing engineered three-dimensional (3D) tissues. However, we know little about the cellular mechanical response in tissues that could be considerably heterogeneous and spatiotemporally dynamic due to the complex structure of tissues. Here, we report a spatiotemporal single-cell tracking analysis of in vitro 3D tissues under mechanical stretch, to reveal the heterogeneous cellular behavior by using a developed stretch and optical live imaging system. The system could affect the cellular orientation and directly measure the distance of cells in in vitro 3D myoblast tissues (3DMTs) at the single-cell level. Moreover, we observed the spatiotemporal heterogeneous cellular locomotion and shape changes under mechanical stretch in 3DMTs. This single-cell tracking analysis can become a principal method to investigate the heterogeneous cellular response in tissues and provide insights that conventional analyses have not yet offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Kasahara
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Jumpei Muramatsu
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Yuta Kurashina
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
- Division of Advanced Mechanical Systems Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Shigenori Miura
- Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shogo Miyata
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Onoe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
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5
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Ferrari D, Sengupta A, Heo L, Pethö L, Michler J, Geiser T, de Jesus Perez VA, Kuebler WM, Zeinali S, Guenat OT. Effects of biomechanical and biochemical stimuli on angio- and vasculogenesis in a complex microvasculature-on-chip. iScience 2023; 26:106198. [PMID: 36879808 PMCID: PMC9985038 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium of blood vessels is a vital organ that reacts differently to subtle changes in stiffness and mechanical forces exerted on its environment (extracellular matrix (ECM)). Upon alteration of these biomechanical cues, endothelial cells initiate signaling pathways that govern vascular remodeling. The emerging organs-on-chip technologies allow the mimicking of complex microvasculature networks, identifying the combined or singular effects of these biomechanical or biochemical stimuli. Here, we present a microvasculature-on-chip model to investigate the singular effect of ECM stiffness and mechanical cyclic stretch on vascular development. Following two different approaches for vascular growth, the effect of ECM stiffness on sprouting angiogenesis and the effect of cyclic stretch on endothelial vasculogenesis are studied. Our results indicate that ECM hydrogel stiffness controls the size of the patterned vasculature and the density of sprouting angiogenesis. RNA sequencing shows that the cellular response to stretching is characterized by the upregulation of certain genes such as ANGPTL4+5, PDE1A, and PLEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Ferrari
- Organs-on-chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arunima Sengupta
- Organs-on-chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lyong Heo
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Laszlo Pethö
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, Thun, Switzerland
| | - Johann Michler
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, Thun, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Geiser
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinicio A. de Jesus Perez
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wolfgang M. Kuebler
- Institute of Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Soheila Zeinali
- Organs-on-chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivier T. Guenat
- Organs-on-chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Zamprogno P, Schulte J, Ferrari D, Rechberger K, Sengupta A, van Os L, Weber T, Zeinali S, Geiser T, Guenat OT. Lung-on-a-Chip Models of the Lung Parenchyma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1413:191-211. [PMID: 37195532 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26625-6_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the publication of the first lung-on-a-chip in 2010, research has made tremendous progress in mimicking the cellular environment of healthy and diseased alveoli. As the first lung-on-a-chip products have recently reached the market, innovative solutions to even better mimic the alveolar barrier are paving the way for the next generation lung-on-chips. The original polymeric membranes made of PDMS are being replaced by hydrogel membranes made of proteins from the lung extracellular matrix, whose chemical and physical properties exceed those of the original membranes. Other aspects of the alveolar environment are replicated, such as the size of the alveoli, their three-dimensional structure, and their arrangement. By tuning the properties of this environment, the phenotype of alveolar cells can be tuned, and the functions of the air-blood barrier can be reproduced, allowing complex biological processes to be mimicked. Lung-on-a-chip technologies also provide the possibility of obtaining biological information that was not possible with conventional in vitro systems. Pulmonary edema leaking through a damaged alveolar barrier and barrier stiffening due to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins can now be reproduced. Provided that the challenges of this young technology are overcome, there is no doubt that many application areas will benefit greatly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Zamprogno
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jan Schulte
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dario Ferrari
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Karin Rechberger
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arunima Sengupta
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lisette van Os
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weber
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Soheila Zeinali
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Geiser
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivier T Guenat
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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7
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Sasaki S, Suzuki T, Morikawa K, Matsusaki M, Sato K. Fabrication of a Gelatin-Based Microdevice for Vascular Cell Culture. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:107. [PMID: 36677169 PMCID: PMC9860854 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel technique for fabricating microfluidic devices with microbial transglutaminase-gelatin gels instead of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), in which flow culture simulates blood flow and a capillary network is incorporated for assays of vascular permeability or angiogenesis. We developed a gelatin-based device with a coverslip as the bottom, which allows the use of high-magnification lenses with short working distances, and we observed the differences in cell dynamics on gelatin, glass, and PDMS surfaces. The tubes of the gelatin microfluidic channel are designed to be difficult to pull out of the inlet hole, making sample introduction easy, and the gelatin channel can be manipulated from the cell introduction to the flow culture steps in a manner comparable to that of a typical PDMS channel. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were successfully co-cultured, resulting in structures that mimicked blood vessels with inner diameters ranging from 10 µm to 500 µm. Immunostaining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that the affinity of fibronectin for gelatin was stronger than that for glass or PDMS, making gelatin a suitable substrate for cell adhesion. The ability for microscopic observation at high magnification and the ease of sample introduction make this device easier to use than conventional gelatin microfluidics, and the above-mentioned small modifications in the device structure are important points that improve its convenience as a cell assay device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Sasaki
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women’s University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
| | - Tomoko Suzuki
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women’s University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
| | - Kyojiro Morikawa
- Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, No. 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
- Collaborative Research Organization for Micro and Nano Multifunctional Devices, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Michiya Matsusaki
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 1-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kae Sato
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women’s University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
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8
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Varhue WB, Rane A, Castellanos-Sanchez R, Peirce SM, Christ G, Swami NS. Perfusable cell-laden micropatterned hydrogels for delivery of spatiotemporal vascular-like cues to tissues. ORGANS-ON-A-CHIP 2022; 4:100017. [PMID: 36865345 PMCID: PMC9977322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ooc.2022.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The integration of vasculature at physiological scales within 3D cultures of cell-laden hydrogels for the delivery of spatiotemporal mass transport, chemical and mechanical cues, is a stepping-stone towards building in vitro tissue models that recapitulate in vivo cues. To address this challenge, we present a versatile method to micropattern adjoining hydrogel shells with a perfusable channel or lumen core, for enabling facile integration with fluidic control systems, on one hand, and to cell-laden biomaterial interfaces, on the other hand. This microfluidic imprint lithography methodology utilizes the high tolerance and reversible nature of the bond alignment process to lithographically position multiple layers of imprints within a microfluidic device for sequential filling and patterning of hydrogel lumen structures with single or multiple shells. Through fluidic interfacing of the structures, the ability to deliver physiologically relevant mechanical cues for recapitulating cyclical stretch on the hydrogel shell and shear stress on endothelial cells in the lumen are validated. We envision application of this platform for recapitulation of the bio-functionality and topology of micro-vasculatures, alongside the ability to deliver transport and mechanical cues, as needed for 3D culture to construct in vitro tissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter B. Varhue
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Aditya Rane
- Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | | | - Shayn M. Peirce
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - George Christ
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Nathan S. Swami
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
- Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
- Corresponding author. University of Virginia, 351 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA. (N.S. Swami)
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9
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Ching T, Vasudevan J, Chang SY, Tan HY, Sargur Ranganath A, Lim CT, Fernandez JG, Ng JJ, Toh YC, Hashimoto M. Biomimetic Vasculatures by 3D-Printed Porous Molds. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203426. [PMID: 35866462 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in biofabrication, recapitulating complex architectures of cell-laden vascular constructs remains challenging. To date, biofabricated vascular models have not yet realized four fundamental attributes of native vasculatures simultaneously: freestanding, branching, multilayered, and perfusable. In this work, a microfluidics-enabled molding technique combined with coaxial bioprinting to fabricate anatomically relevant, cell-laden vascular models consisting of hydrogels is developed. By using 3D porous molds of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate as casting templates that gradually release calcium ions as a crosslinking agent, freestanding, and perfusable vascular constructs of complex geometries are fabricated. The bioinks can be tailored to improve the compatibility with specific vascular cells and to tune the mechanical modulus mimicking native blood vessels. Crucially, the integration of relevant vascular cells (such as smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells) in a multilayer and biomimetic configuration is highlighted. It is also demonstrated that the fabricated freestanding vessels are amenable for testing percutaneous coronary interventions (i.e., drug-eluting balloons and stents) under physiological mechanical states such as stretching and bending. Overall, a versatile fabrication technique with multifaceted possibilities of generating biomimetic vascular models that can benefit future research in mechanistic understanding of cardiovascular diseases and the development of therapeutic interventions is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Ching
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
- Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Jyothsna Vasudevan
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Shu-Yung Chang
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
- Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
| | - Hsih Yin Tan
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Anupama Sargur Ranganath
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Javier G Fernandez
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
| | - Jun Jie Ng
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- SingVaSC, Singapore Vascular Surgical Collaborative, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane City, QLD, 4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Michinao Hashimoto
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
- Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
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10
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Liu S, Wang T, Li S, Wang X. Application Status of Sacrificial Biomaterials in 3D Bioprinting. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14112182. [PMID: 35683853 PMCID: PMC9182955 DOI: 10.3390/polym14112182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing, also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, relates to several rapid prototyping (RP) technologies, and has shown great potential in the manufacture of organoids and even complex bioartificial organs. A major challenge for 3D bioprinting complex org unit ans is the competitive requirements with respect to structural biomimeticability, material integrability, and functional manufacturability. Over the past several years, 3D bioprinting based on sacrificial templates has shown its unique advantages in building hierarchical vascular networks in complex organs. Sacrificial biomaterials as supporting structures have been used widely in the construction of tubular tissues. The advent of suspension printing has enabled the precise printing of some soft biomaterials (e.g., collagen and fibrinogen), which were previously considered unprintable singly with cells. In addition, the introduction of sacrificial biomaterials can improve the porosity of biomaterials, making the printed structures more favorable for cell proliferation, migration and connection. In this review, we mainly consider the latest developments and applications of 3D bioprinting based on the strategy of sacrificial biomaterials, discuss the basic principles of sacrificial templates, and look forward to the broad prospects of this approach for complex organ engineering or manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- Center of 3D Printing & Organ Manufacturing, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University (CMU), No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China; (S.L.); (T.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Tianlin Wang
- Center of 3D Printing & Organ Manufacturing, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University (CMU), No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China; (S.L.); (T.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Shenglong Li
- Center of 3D Printing & Organ Manufacturing, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University (CMU), No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China; (S.L.); (T.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Center of 3D Printing & Organ Manufacturing, School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University (CMU), No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China; (S.L.); (T.W.); (S.L.)
- Center of Organ Manufacturing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Correspondence: or ; Tel./Fax: +86-24-31900983
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11
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Pan Y, Yang Z, Li C, Hassan SU, Shum HC. Plant-inspired TransfOrigami microfluidics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo1719. [PMID: 35507654 PMCID: PMC9067916 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo1719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The healthy functioning of the plants' vasculature depends on their ability to respond to environmental changes. In contrast, synthetic microfluidic systems have rarely demonstrated this environmental responsiveness. Plants respond to environmental stimuli through nastic movement, which inspires us to introduce transformable microfluidics: By embedding stimuli-responsive materials, the microfluidic device can respond to temperature, humidity, and light irradiance. Furthermore, by designing a foldable geometry, these responsive movements can follow the preset origami transformation. We term this device TransfOrigami microfluidics (TOM) to highlight the close connection between its transformation and the origami structure. TOM can be used as an environmentally adaptive photomicroreactor. It senses the environmental stimuli and feeds them back positively into photosynthetic conversion through morphological transformation. The principle behind this morphable microsystem can potentially be extended to applications that require responsiveness between the environment and the devices, such as dynamic artificial vascular networks and shape-adaptive flexible electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhenyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chang Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sammer Ul Hassan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Corresponding author.
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12
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Xu H, Cheng C, Le W. Recent research advances of the biomimetic tumor microenvironment and regulatory factors on microfluidic devices: A systematic review. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:839-847. [PMID: 35179796 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment is a multicomponent system consisting of tumor cells, noncancer cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules, which hosts tumor cells with integrated biophysical and biochemical elements. Because of its critical involvement in tumor genesis, invasion, metastasis, and resistance, the tumor microenvironment is emerging as a hot topic of tumor biology and a prospective therapeutic target. Unfortunately, the complex of microenvironment modeling in vitro is technically challenging and does not effectively generalize the local tumor tissue milieu. Recently, significant advances in microfluidic technologies have provided us with an approach to imitate physiological systems that can be utilized to mimic the characterization of tumor responses with pathophysiological relevance in vitro. In this review, we highlight the recent progress and innovations in microfluidic technology that facilitates the tumor microenvironment study. We also discuss the progress and future perspective of microfluidic bionic approaches with high efficiency for the study of tumor microenvironment and the challenges encountered in cancer research, drug discovery, and personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China.,Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
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13
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Luciano M, Versaevel M, Vercruysse E, Procès A, Kalukula Y, Remson A, Deridoux A, Gabriele S. Appreciating the role of cell shape changes in the mechanobiology of epithelial tissues. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:011305. [PMID: 38505223 PMCID: PMC10903419 DOI: 10.1063/5.0074317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The wide range of epithelial cell shapes reveals the complexity and diversity of the intracellular mechanisms that serve to construct their morphology and regulate their functions. Using mechanosensitive steps, epithelial cells can sense a variety of different mechanochemical stimuli and adapt their behavior by reshaping their morphology. These changes of cell shape rely on a structural reorganization in space and time that generates modifications of the tensional state and activates biochemical cascades. Recent studies have started to unveil how the cell shape maintenance is involved in mechanical homeostatic tasks to sustain epithelial tissue folding, identity, and self-renewal. Here, we review relevant works that integrated mechanobiology to elucidate some of the core principles of how cell shape may be conveyed into spatial information to guide collective processes such as epithelial morphogenesis. Among many other parameters, we show that the regulation of the cell shape can be understood as the result of the interplay between two counteracting mechanisms: actomyosin contractility and intercellular adhesions, and that both do not act independently but are functionally integrated to operate on molecular, cellular, and tissue scales. We highlight the role of cadherin-based adhesions in force-sensing and mechanotransduction, and we report recent developments that exploit physics of liquid crystals to connect cell shape changes to orientational order in cell aggregates. Finally, we emphasize that the further intermingling of different disciplines to develop new mechanobiology assays will lead the way toward a unified picture of the contribution of cell shape to the pathophysiological behavior of epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Luciano
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Marie Versaevel
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Eléonore Vercruysse
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Anthony Procès
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Yohalie Kalukula
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Remson
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Amandine Deridoux
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- University of Mons, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, CIRMAP, 20 Place du Parc, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
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14
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Concilia G, Lai A, Thurgood P, Pirogova E, Baratchi S, Khoshmanesh K. Investigating the mechanotransduction of transient shear stress mediated by Piezo1 ion channel using a 3D printed dynamic gravity pump. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:262-271. [PMID: 34931212 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00927c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems are widely used for studying the mechanotransduction of flow-induced shear stress in mechanosensitive cells. However, these studies are generally performed under constant flow rates, mainly, due to the deficiency of existing pumps for generating transient flows. To address this limitation, we have developed a unique dynamic gravity pump to generate transient flows in microfluidics. The pump utilises a motorised 3D-printed cam-lever mechanism to change the inlet pressure of the system in repeated cycles. 3D printing technology facilitates the rapid and low-cost prototyping of the pump. Customised transient flow patterns can be generated by modulating the profile, size, and rotational speed of the cam, location of the hinge along the lever, and the height of the syringe. Using this unique dynamic gravity pump, we investigated the mechanotransduction of shear stress in HEK293 cells stably expressing Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel under transient flows. The controllable, simple, low-cost, compact, and modular design of the pump makes it suitable for studying the mechanobiology of shear sensitive cells under transient flows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Austin Lai
- School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Peter Thurgood
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Elena Pirogova
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sara Baratchi
- School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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15
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Ching T, Toh YC, Hashimoto M. Design and fabrication of micro/nanofluidics devices and systems. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 186:15-58. [PMID: 35033282 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the science, engineering, and design methods required in the development of micro/nanofluidic devices. Section 2 provides the scientific background of fluid mechanics and physical phenomena in micro/nanoscale. Section 3 gives a brief overview of the existing fabrication techniques employed in micro/nanofluidics. The techniques are grouped into three categories: (1) subtractive manufacturing, (2) formative manufacturing, and (3) additive manufacturing. The advantages and disadvantages of each manufacturing technique are also discussed. Implementation of the fluidic devices beyond laboratory demonstrations is not trivial, which requires a good understanding of the problems of interest and the end-users. To that end, Section 4 introduces the design thinking approach and its application to develop micro/nanofluidic devices. Finally, Section 5 concludes the chapter with future outlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Ching
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore; Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Michinao Hashimoto
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore; Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, Singapore.
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16
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Nguyen N, Thurgood P, Sekar NC, Chen S, Pirogova E, Peter K, Baratchi S, Khoshmanesh K. Microfluidic models of the human circulatory system: versatile platforms for exploring mechanobiology and disease modeling. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:769-786. [PMID: 34777617 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00815-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human circulatory system is a marvelous fluidic system, which is very sensitive to biophysical and biochemical cues. The current animal and cell culture models do not recapitulate the functional properties of the human circulatory system, limiting our ability to fully understand the complex biological processes underlying the dysfunction of this multifaceted system. In this review, we discuss the unique ability of microfluidic systems to recapitulate the biophysical, biochemical, and functional properties of the human circulatory system. We also describe the remarkable capacity of microfluidic technologies for exploring the complex mechanobiology of the cardiovascular system, mechanistic studying of cardiovascular diseases, and screening cardiovascular drugs with the additional benefit of reducing the need for animal models. We also discuss opportunities for further advancement in this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngan Nguyen
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Thurgood
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nadia Chandra Sekar
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Sheng Chen
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elena Pirogova
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
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17
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Ching T, Vasudevan J, Tan HY, Lim CT, Fernandez J, Toh YC, Hashimoto M. Highly-customizable 3D-printed peristaltic pump kit. HARDWAREX 2021; 10:e00202. [PMID: 35607675 PMCID: PMC9123372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2021.e00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Commercially available peristaltic pumps for microfluidics are usually bulky, expensive, and not customizable. Herein, we developed a cost-effective kit to build a micro-peristaltic pump (~ 50 USD) consisting of 3D-printed and off-the-shelf components. We demonstrated fabricating two variants of pumps with different sizes and operating flowrates using the developed kit. The assembled pumps offered a flowrate of 0.02 ~ 727.3 μL/min, and the smallest pump assembled with this kit was 20 × 50 × 28 mm. This kit was designed with modular components (i.e., each component followed a standardized unit) to achieve (1) customizability (users can easily reconfigure various components to comply with their experiments), (2) forward compatibility (new parts with the standardized unit can be designed and easily interfaced to the current kit), and (3) easy replacement of the parts experiencing wear and tear. To demonstrate the forward compatibility, we developed a flowrate calibration tool that was readily interfaced with the developed pump system. The pumps exhibited good repeatability in flowrates and functioned inside a cell incubator (at 37 °C and 95 % humidity) for seven days without noticeable issues in the performance. This cost-effective, highly customizable pump kit should find use in lab-on-a-chip, organs-on-a-chip, and point-of-care microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Ching
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
- Digital Manufacturing and Design (DManD) Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jyothsna Vasudevan
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hsih Yin Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Javier Fernandez
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michinao Hashimoto
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
- Digital Manufacturing and Design (DManD) Centre, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
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18
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Wasson EM, Dubbin K, Moya ML. Go with the flow: modeling unique biological flows in engineered in vitro platforms. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2095-2120. [PMID: 34008661 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00014d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Interest in recapitulating in vivo phenomena in vitro using organ-on-a-chip technology has grown rapidly and with it, attention to the types of fluid flow experienced in the body has followed suit. These platforms offer distinct advantages over in vivo models with regards to human relevance, cost, and control of inputs (e.g., controlled manipulation of biomechanical cues from fluid perfusion). Given the critical role biophysical forces play in several tissues and organs, it is therefore imperative that engineered in vitro platforms capture the complex, unique flow profiles experienced in the body that are intimately tied with organ function. In this review, we outline the complex and unique flow regimes experienced by three different organ systems: blood vasculature, lymphatic vasculature, and the intestinal system. We highlight current state-of-the-art platforms that strive to replicate physiological flows within engineered tissues while introducing potential limitations in current approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M Wasson
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
| | - Karen Dubbin
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
| | - Monica L Moya
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
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19
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Zeinali S, Thompson EK, Gerhardt H, Geiser T, Guenat OT. Remodeling of an in vitro microvessel exposed to cyclic mechanical stretch. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:026102. [PMID: 33834157 PMCID: PMC8019357 DOI: 10.1063/5.0010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the lungs, vascular endothelial cells experience cyclic mechanical strain resulting from rhythmic breathing motions and intraluminal blood pressure. Mechanical stress creates evident physiological, morphological, biochemical, and gene expression changes in vascular endothelial cells. However, the exact mechanisms of the mechanical signal transduction into biological responses remain to be clarified. Besides, the level of mechanical stress is difficult to determine due to the complexity of the local distension patterns in the lungs and thus assumed to be the same as the one acting on the alveolar epithelium. Existing in vitro models used to investigate the effect of mechanical stretch on endothelial cells are usually limited to two-dimensional (2D) cell culture platforms, which poorly mimic the typical three-dimensional structure of the vessels. Therefore, the development of an advanced in vitro vasculature model that closely mimics the dynamic of the human lung vasculatures is highly needed. Here, we present the first study that investigates the interplay of the three-dimensional (3D) mechanical cyclic stretch and its magnitude with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation on a 3D perfusable vasculature in vitro. We studied the effects of the cyclic strain on a perfusable 3D vasculature, made of either human lung microvascular endothelial cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in a gel layer. The in vitro 3D vessels underwent both in vivo-like longitudinal and circumferential deformations, simultaneously. Our results showed that the responses of the human lung microvascular endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to cyclic stretch were in good agreement. Although our 3D model was in agreement with the 2D model in predicting a cytoskeletal remodeling in response to different magnitudes of cyclic stretch, however, we observed several phenomena in the 3D model that the 2D model was unable to predict. Angiogenic sprouting induced by VEGF decreased significantly in the presence of cyclic stretch. Similarly, while treatment with VEGF increased vascular permeability, the cyclic stretch restored vascular barrier tightness and significantly decreased vascular permeability. One of the major findings of this study was that a 3D microvasculature can be exposed to a much higher mechanical cyclic stress level than reported in the literature without any dysfunction of its barrier. For higher magnitudes of the cyclic stretch, the applied longitudinal strain level was 14% and the associated circumferential strain reached the equivalent of 63%. In sharp contrast to our findings, such strain typically leads to the disruption of the endothelial barrier in a 2D stretching assay and is considered pathological. This highlights the importance of 3D modeling to investigate mechanobiology effects rather than using a simple endothelial monolayer, which truly recapitulates the in vivo situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Zeinali
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emily K. Thompson
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Holger Gerhardt
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC),13092 Berlin, Germany
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20
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Chan AHP, Huang NF. Engineering Cardiovascular Tissue Chips for Disease Modeling and Drug Screening Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:673212. [PMID: 33959600 PMCID: PMC8093512 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.673212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the cost of drug discovery and development have been progressively increasing, but the number of drugs approved for treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been limited. Current in vitro models for drug development do not sufficiently ensure safety and efficacy, owing to their lack of physiological relevance. On the other hand, preclinical animal models are extremely costly and present problems of inaccuracy due to species differences. To address these limitations, tissue chips offer the opportunity to emulate physiological and pathological tissue processes in a biomimetic in vitro platform. Tissue chips enable in vitro modeling of CVDs to give mechanistic insights, and they can also be a powerful approach for drug screening applications. Here, we review recent advances in CVD modeling using tissue chips and their applications in drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H P Chan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Ngan F Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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21
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Takahashi R, Miyazako H, Tanaka A, Ueno Y, Yamaguchi M. Tough, permeable and biocompatible microfluidic devices formed through the buckling delamination of soft hydrogel films. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1307-1317. [PMID: 33656028 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01275k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microchannels in soft materials play an important role in developing movable, deformable, and biocompatible fluidic systems for applications in various fields. Intensively investigated approaches to create microscale channel architectures use mechanical instability in soft materials, which can provide intricate yet ordered architectures with low cost and high throughput. Here, for microchannel fabrication, we demonstrate the use of swelling-driven buckle delamination of hydrogels, which is a mechanical instability pattern found in compressed film/substrate layer composites. By spatially controlling interfacial bonding between a thin polyacrylamide (PAAm) gel film and glass substrate, swelling-driven compressive stress induces buckle delamination at programmed positions, resulting in the formation of continuous hollow paths as microchannels. Connecting flow tubes with a 3D-printed connecter provides a deformable microfluidic device, enabling pressure-driven flows without leakage from the connecter and rupture of the channels. Furthermore, by stacking less-swellable bulk gels on the device, we obtained a tough, permeable, and biocompatible microfluidic device. Finally, we performed a cell culture on the device and chemical stimulation to cells through the diffusion of molecules from the microchannels. The results of this work shed light on designing pressure sensitive/resistant microfluidic systems based on diverse hydrogels with intricate 3D morphologies and will be useful for applications in the fields of bioanalysis, biomimetics, tissue engineering, and cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Takahashi
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato -Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0198, Japan.
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22
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Andoh M, Koyama R. Assessing Microglial Dynamics by Live Imaging. Front Immunol 2021; 12:617564. [PMID: 33763064 PMCID: PMC7982483 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.617564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are highly dynamic in the brain in terms of their ability to migrate, proliferate, and phagocytose over the course of an individual's life. Real-time imaging is a useful tool to examine how microglial behavior is regulated and how it affects the surrounding environment. However, microglia are sensitive to environmental stimuli, so they possibly change their state during live imaging in vivo, mainly due to surgical damage, and in vitro due to various effects associated with culture conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to perform live imaging without compromising the properties of the microglia under physiological conditions. To overcome this barrier, various experimental conditions have been developed; recently, it has become possible to perform live imaging of so-called surveillant microglia in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro, although there are various limitations. Now, we can choose in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro live imaging systems according to the research objective. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each experimental system and outline the physiological significance and molecular mechanisms of microglial behavior that have been elucidated by live imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Andoh
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuta Koyama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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23
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Pointon A, Maher J, Davis M, Baker T, Cichocki J, Ramsden D, Hale C, Kolaja KL, Levesque P, Sura R, Stresser DM, Gintant G. Cardiovascular microphysiological systems (CVMPS) for safety studies - a pharma perspective. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:458-472. [PMID: 33471007 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01040e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The integrative responses of the cardiovascular (CV) system are essential for maintaining blood flow to provide oxygenation, nutrients, and waste removal for the entire body. Progress has been made in independently developing simple in vitro models of two primary components of the CV system, namely the heart (using induced pluripotent stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes) and the vasculature (using endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells). These two in vitro biomimics are often described as immature and simplistic, and typically lack the structural complexity of native tissues. Despite these limitations, they have proven useful for specific "fit for purpose" applications, including early safety screening. More complex in vitro models offer the tantalizing prospect of greater refinement in risk assessments. To this end, efforts to physically link cardiac and vascular components to mimic a true CV microphysiological system (CVMPS) are ongoing, with the goal of providing a more holistic and integrated CV response model. The challenges of building and implementing CVMPS in future pharmacological safety studies are many, and include a) the need for more complex (and hence mature) cell types and tissues, b) the need for more realistic vasculature (within and across co-modeled tissues), and c) the need to meaningfully couple these two components to allow for integrated CV responses. Initial success will likely come with simple, bioengineered tissue models coupled with fluidics intended to mirror a vascular component. While the development of more complex integrated CVMPS models that are capable of differentiating safe compounds and providing mechanistic evaluations of CV liabilities may be feasible, adoption by pharma will ultimately hinge on model efficiency, experimental reproducibility, and added value above current strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Pointon
- Functional Mechanistic Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Maher
- Translational Safety Sciences, Theravance Biopharma, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Myrtle Davis
- Discovery Toxicology, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, 3553 Lawrenceville Rd Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Thomas Baker
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis IN 46285, USA
| | | | - Diane Ramsden
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 35 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139, UK
| | - Christopher Hale
- Amgen Research, 1120 Veterans Blvd., S. San Francisco, 94080, USA
| | - Kyle L Kolaja
- Investigative Toxicology and Cell Therapy, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, 556 Morris Avenue, Summit NJ 07042, USA
| | - Paul Levesque
- Discovery Toxicology, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, 3553 Lawrenceville Rd Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | | | - David M Stresser
- Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Translational Modeling, AbbVie, 1 Waukegan Rd, N Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Gary Gintant
- Integrative Pharmacology, Integrated Science and Technology, AbbVie, 1 Waukegan Rd, N Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
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Shimizu A, Goh WH, Itai S, Karyappa R, Hashimoto M, Onoe H. ECM-based microfluidic gradient generator for tunable surface environment by interstitial flow. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:044106. [PMID: 32699566 PMCID: PMC7367689 DOI: 10.1063/5.0010941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We present an extracellular matrix (ECM)-based gradient generator that provides a culture surface with continuous chemical concentration gradients created by interstitial flow. The gelatin-based microchannels harboring gradient generators and in-channel micromixers were rapidly fabricated by sacrificial molding of a 3D-printed water-soluble sacrificial mold. When fluorescent dye solutions were introduced into the channel, the micromixers enhanced mixing of two solutions joined at the junction. Moreover, the concentration gradients generated in the channel diffused to the culture surface of the device through the interstitial space facilitated by the porous nature of the ECM. To check the functionality of the gradient generator for investigating cellular responses to chemical factors, we demonstrated that human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on the surface shrunk in response to the concentration gradient of histamine generated by interstitial flow from the microchannel. We believe that our device could be useful for the basic biological study of the cellular response to chemical stimuli and for the in vitro platform in drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azusa Shimizu
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-Ku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Wei Huang Goh
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372
| | - Shun Itai
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-Ku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Rahul Karyappa
- Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372
| | | | - Hiroaki Onoe
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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