1
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Chang HF, Cheng JY. Glioblastoma U-87 cell electrotaxis is hindered by doxycycline with a concomitant reduction in the matrix metallopeptidase-9 expression. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101690. [PMID: 38571555 PMCID: PMC10987802 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Electric fields (EF) play an essential role in cancer cell migration. Numerous cancer cell types exhibit electrotaxis under direct current electric fields (dcEF) of physiological electric field strength (EFs). This study investigated the effects of doxycycline on the electrotactic responses of U87 cells. After EF stimulation, U87 cells migrated toward the cathode, whereas doxycycline-treated U87 cells exhibited enhanced cell mobility but hindered cathodal migration. We further investigated the expression of the metastasis-correlated proteins matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in U87 cells. The levels of MMP-2 in the cells were not altered under EF or doxycycline stimulation. In contrast, the EF stimulation greatly enhanced the levels of MMP-9 and then repressed in doxycycline-cotreated cells, accompanied by reduced cathodal migration. Our results demonstrated that an antibiotic at a non-toxic concentration could suppress the enhanced cell migration accelerated by EF of physiological strength. This finding may be applied as an anti-metastatic treatment for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Chang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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2
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Li X, Zhu H, Gu B, Yao C, Gu Y, Xu W, Zhang J, He J, Liu X, Li D. Advancing Intelligent Organ-on-a-Chip Systems with Comprehensive In Situ Bioanalysis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305268. [PMID: 37688520 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models are essential to a broad range of biomedical research, such as pathological studies, drug development, and personalized medicine. As a potentially transformative paradigm for 3D in vitro models, organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology has been extensively developed to recapitulate sophisticated architectures and dynamic microenvironments of human organs by applying the principles of life sciences and leveraging micro- and nanoscale engineering capabilities. A pivotal function of OOC devices is to support multifaceted and timely characterization of cultured cells and their microenvironments. However, in-depth analysis of OOC models typically requires biomedical assay procedures that are labor-intensive and interruptive. Herein, the latest advances toward intelligent OOC (iOOC) systems, where sensors integrated with OOC devices continuously report cellular and microenvironmental information for comprehensive in situ bioanalysis, are examined. It is proposed that the multimodal data in iOOC systems can support closed-loop control of the in vitro models and offer holistic biomedical insights for diverse applications. Essential techniques for establishing iOOC systems are surveyed, encompassing in situ sensing, data processing, and dynamic modulation. Eventually, the future development of iOOC systems featuring cross-disciplinary strategies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Bingsong Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Cong Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yuyang Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Wangkai Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jiankang He
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Dichen Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
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3
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Shaner S, Lu H, Lenz M, Garg S, Vlachos A, Asplund M. Brain stimulation-on-a-chip: a neuromodulation platform for brain slices. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4967-4985. [PMID: 37909911 PMCID: PMC10661668 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00492a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of ex vivo brain tissue slices has been a method used to understand mechanisms imparted by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), but there are significant direct current electric field (dcEF) dosage and electrochemical by-product concerns in conventional experimental setups that may impact translational findings. Therefore, we developed an on-chip platform with fluidic, electrochemical, and magnetically-induced spatial control. Fluidically, the chamber geometrically confines precise dcEF delivery to the enclosed brain slice and allows for tissue recovery in order to monitor post-stimulation effects. Electrochemically, conducting hydrogel electrodes mitigate stimulation-induced faradaic reactions typical of commonly-used metal electrodes. Magnetically, we applied ferromagnetic substrates beneath the tissue and used an external permanent magnet to enable in situ rotational control in relation to the dcEF. By combining the microfluidic chamber with live-cell calcium imaging and electrophysiological recordings, we showcased the potential to study the acute and lasting effects of dcEFs with the potential of providing multi-session stimulation. This on-chip bioelectronic platform presents a modernized yet simple solution to electrically stimulate explanted tissue by offering more environmental control to users, which unlocks new opportunities to conduct thorough brain stimulation mechanistic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Shaner
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools Center, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Han Lu
- BrainLinks-BrainTools Center, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 17, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Lenz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 17, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Shreyash Garg
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 17, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
- MSc Neuroscience Program, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Andreas Vlachos
- BrainLinks-BrainTools Center, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 17, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Maria Asplund
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools Center, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Chalmersplatsen 4, 41258 Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Division of Nursing and Medical Technology, Luleå University of Technology, 79187 Luleå, Sweden
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 19, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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4
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Shaner S, Savelyeva A, Kvartuh A, Jedrusik N, Matter L, Leal J, Asplund M. Bioelectronic microfluidic wound healing: a platform for investigating direct current stimulation of injured cell collectives. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:1531-1546. [PMID: 36723025 PMCID: PMC10013350 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01045c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Upon cutaneous injury, the human body naturally forms an electric field (EF) that acts as a guidance cue for relevant cellular and tissue repair and reorganization. However, the direct current (DC) flow imparted by this EF can be impacted by a variety of diseases. This work delves into the impact of DC stimulation on both healthy and diabetic in vitro wound healing models of human keratinocytes, the most prevalent cell type of the skin. The culmination of non-metal electrode materials and prudent microfluidic design allowed us to create a compact bioelectronic platform to study the effects of different sustained (12 hours galvanostatic DC) EF configurations on wound closure dynamics. Specifically, we compared if electrotactically closing a wound's gap from one wound edge (i.e., uni-directional EF) is as effective as compared to alternatingly polarizing both the wound's edges (i.e., pseudo-converging EF) as both of these spatial stimulation strategies are fundamental to the eventual translational electrode design and strategy. We found that uni-directional electric guidance cues were superior in group keratinocyte healing dynamics by enhancing the wound closure rate nearly three-fold for both healthy and diabetic-like keratinocyte collectives, compared to their non-stimulated respective controls. The motility-inhibited and diabetic-like keratinocytes regained wound closure rates with uni-directional electrical stimulation (increase from 1.0 to 2.8% h-1) comparable to their healthy non-stimulated keratinocyte counterparts (3.5% h-1). Our results bring hope that electrical stimulation delivered in a controlled manner can be a viable pathway to accelerate wound repair, and also by providing a baseline for other researchers trying to find an optimal electrode blueprint for in vivo DC stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Shaner
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Brainlinks-Braintools Center, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Anna Savelyeva
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Brainlinks-Braintools Center, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Anja Kvartuh
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Jedrusik
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Brainlinks-Braintools Center, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Lukas Matter
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - José Leal
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Brainlinks-Braintools Center, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Asplund
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Brainlinks-Braintools Center, Georges-Köhler-Allee 201, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 19, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Nursing and Medical Technology, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden
- Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 9, 412 58, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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5
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Guette-Marquet S, Roques C, Bergel A. Theoretical analysis of the electrochemical systems used for the application of direct current/voltage stimuli on cell cultures. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 139:107737. [PMID: 33494030 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous electric fields drive many essential functions relating to cell proliferation, motion, differentiation and tissue development. They are usually mimicked in vitro by using electrochemical systems to apply direct current or voltage stimuli to cell cultures. The many studies devoted to this topic have given rise to a wide variety of experimental systems, whose results are often difficult to compare. Here, these systems are analysed from an electrochemical standpoint to help harmonize protocols and facilitate optimal understanding of the data produced. The theoretical analysis of single-electrode systems shows the necessity of measuring the Nernst potential of the electrode and of discussing the results on this basis rather than using the value of the potential gradient. The paper then emphasizes the great complexity that can arise when high cell voltage is applied to a single electrode, because of the possible occurrence of anode and cathode sites. An analysis of two-electrode systems leads to the advice to change experimental practices by applying current instead of voltage. It also suggests that the values of electric fields reported so far may have been considerably overestimated in macro-sized devices. It would consequently be wise to revisit this area by testing considerably lower electric field values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Guette-Marquet
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Roques
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Alain Bergel
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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6
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Tsai HF, IJspeert C, Shen AQ. Voltage-gated ion channels mediate the electrotaxis of glioblastoma cells in a hybrid PMMA/PDMS microdevice. APL Bioeng 2020; 4:036102. [PMID: 32637857 PMCID: PMC7332302 DOI: 10.1063/5.0004893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transformed astrocytes in the most aggressive form cause glioblastoma, the most common cancer in the central nervous system with high mortality. The physiological electric field by neuronal local field potentials and tissue polarity may guide the infiltration of glioblastoma cells through the electrotaxis process. However, microenvironments with multiplex gradients are difficult to create. In this work, we have developed a hybrid microfluidic platform to study glioblastoma electrotaxis in controlled microenvironments with high throughput quantitative analysis by machine learning-powered single cell tracking software. By equalizing the hydrostatic pressure difference between inlets and outlets of the microchannel, uniform single cells can be seeded reliably inside the microdevice. The electrotaxis of two glioblastoma models, T98G and U-251MG, requires an optimal laminin-containing extracellular matrix and exhibits opposite directional and electro-alignment tendencies. Calcium signaling is a key contributor in glioblastoma pathophysiology but its role in glioblastoma electrotaxis is still an open question. Anodal T98G electrotaxis and cathodal U-251MG electrotaxis require the presence of extracellular calcium cations. U-251MG electrotaxis is dependent on the P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) and T98G is dependent on the R-type VGCC. U-251MG electrotaxis and T98G electrotaxis are also mediated by A-type (rapidly inactivating) voltage-gated potassium channels and acid-sensing sodium channels. The involvement of multiple ion channels suggests that the glioblastoma electrotaxis is complex and patient-specific ion channel expression can be critical to develop personalized therapeutics to fight against cancer metastasis. The hybrid microfluidic design and machine learning-powered single cell analysis provide a simple and flexible platform for quantitative investigation of complicated biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Camilo IJspeert
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Amy Q. Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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7
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Zhao S, Mehta AS, Zhao M. Biomedical applications of electrical stimulation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2681-2699. [PMID: 31974658 PMCID: PMC7954539 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03446-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review provides a comprehensive overview on the biomedical applications of electrical stimulation (EStim). EStim has a wide range of direct effects on both biomolecules and cells. These effects have been exploited to facilitate proliferation and functional development of engineered tissue constructs for regenerative medicine applications. They have also been tested or used in clinics for pain mitigation, muscle rehabilitation, the treatment of motor/consciousness disorders, wound healing, and drug delivery. However, the research on fundamental mechanism of cellular response to EStim has fell behind its applications, which has hindered the full exploitation of the clinical potential of EStim. Moreover, despite the positive outcome from the in vitro and animal studies testing the efficacy of EStim, existing clinical trials failed to establish strong, conclusive supports for the therapeutic efficacy of EStim for most of the clinical applications mentioned above. Two potential directions of future research to improve the clinical utility of EStim are presented, including the optimization and standardization of the stimulation protocol and the development of more tissue-matching devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Zhao
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985965 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medical Center 985965, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Abijeet Singh Mehta
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute for Regenerative Cures, Center for Neuroscience, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Suite 1630, Room 1617, 2921 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute for Regenerative Cures, Center for Neuroscience, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Suite 1630, Room 1617, 2921 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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8
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Doxycycline inhibits electric field-induced migration of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8094. [PMID: 31147570 PMCID: PMC6542854 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44505-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most commonly diagnosed subtypes of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Numerous lung cancer cell types have exhibited electrotaxis under direct current electric fields (dcEF). Physiological electric fields (EF) play key roles in cancer cell migration. In this study, we investigated electrotaxis of NSCLC cells, including human large cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460 and human lung squamous cell carcinoma NCI-H520 cells. Non-cancerous MRC-5 lung fibroblasts were included as a control. After dcEF stimulation, NCI-H460 and NCI-H520 cells, which both exhibit epithelial-like morphology, migrated towards the cathode, while MRC-5 cells, which have fibroblast-like morphology, migrated towards the anode. The effect of doxycycline, a common antibiotic, on electrotaxis of MRC-5, NCI-H460 and NCI-H520 cells was examined. Doxycycline enhanced the tested cells’ motility but inhibited electrotaxis in the NSCLC cells without inhibiting non-cancerous MRC-5 cells. Based on our finding, further in-vivo studies could be devised to investigate the metastasis inhibition effect of doxycycline in an organism level.
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Abstract
Translational research requires reliable biomedical microdevices (BMMD)
to mimic physiological conditions and answer biological questions. In this work, we
introduce a reversibly sealed quick-fit hybrid BMMD that is operator-friendly and
bubble-free, requires low reagent and cell consumption, enables robust and high
throughput performance for biomedical experiments. Specifically, we fabricate a
quick-fit poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PMMA/PDMS)
prototype to illustrate its utilities by probing the adhesion of glioblastoma cells
(T98G and U251MG) to primary endothelial cells. In static condition, we confirm that
angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling increases the adhesion of glioblastoma cells to
endothelial cells. Next, to mimic the physiological hemodynamic flow and investigate
the effect of physiological electric field, the endothelial cells are
pre-conditioned with concurrent shear flow (with fixed 1 Pa shear stress) and direct
current electric field (dcEF) in the quick-fit PMMA/PDMS BMMD. With shear flow
alone, endothelial cells exhibit classical parallel alignment; while under a
concurrent dcEF, the cells align perpendicularly to the electric current when the
dcEF is greater than 154 V m− 1. Moreover, with fixed
shear stress of 1 Pa, T98G glioblastoma cells demonstrate increased adhesion to
endothelial cells conditioned in dcEF of 154 V m− 1,
while U251MG glioblastoma cells show no difference. The quick-fit hybrid BMMD
provides a simple and flexible platform to create multiplex systems, making it
possible to investigate complicated biological conditions for translational
research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 9040495, Japan.
| | - Kazumi Toda-Peters
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 9040495, Japan
| | - Amy Q Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 9040495, Japan.
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10
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Sun YS. Studying Electrotaxis in Microfluidic Devices. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 17:E2048. [PMID: 28880251 PMCID: PMC5621068 DOI: 10.3390/s17092048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Collective cell migration is important in various physiological processes such as morphogenesis, cancer metastasis and cell regeneration. Such migration can be induced and guided by different chemical and physical cues. Electrotaxis, referring to the directional migration of adherent cells under stimulus of electric fields, is believed to be highly involved in the wound-healing process. Electrotactic experiments are conventionally conducted in Petri dishes or cover glasses wherein cells are cultured and electric fields are applied. However, these devices suffer from evaporation of the culture medium, non-uniformity of electric fields and low throughput. To overcome these drawbacks, micro-fabricated devices composed of micro-channels and fluidic components have lately been applied to electrotactic studies. Microfluidic devices are capable of providing cells with a precise micro-environment including pH, nutrition, temperature and various stimuli. Therefore, with the advantages of reduced cell/reagent consumption, reduced Joule heating and uniform and precise electric fields, microfluidic chips are perfect platforms for observing cell migration under applied electric fields. In this paper, I review recent developments in designing and fabricating microfluidic devices for studying electrotaxis, aiming to provide critical updates in this rapidly-growing, interdisciplinary field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Shin Sun
- Department of Physics, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
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11
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Li Y, Xu T, Zou H, Chen X, Sun D, Yang M. Cell migration microfluidics for electrotaxis-based heterogeneity study of lung cancer cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 89:837-845. [PMID: 27816579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Tumor metastasis involves the migration of cells from primary site to a distant location. Recently, it was established that cancer cells from the same tumor were heterogeneous in migratory ability. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cancer cells undergo reorientation and migration directionally under physiological electric field (EF), which has potential implications in metastasis. Microfluidic devices with channel structures of defined dimensions provide controllable microenvironments to enable real-time observation of cell migration. In this study, we developed two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices for long-term electrotaxis study. In the first chip, three different intensities of EFs were generated in a single channel to study cell electrotactic behavior with high efficiency. We observed that the lung adenocarcinoma H1975 cells underwent cathodal migration with changing cellular orientation. To address the issue of cell electrotactic heterogeneity, we also developed a cell isolation device integrating cell immobilization structure, stable EF generator and cell retrieval module in one microfluidic chip to sort out different cell subpopulations based on electrotactic ability. High electrotactic and low electrotactic cells were harvested separately for colony formation assay and transcriptional analysis of migration-related genes. The results showed that H1975 cell motility was related to EGFR expression in the absence of EF stimulation, while in the presence of EF it was associated with PTEN expression. Up-regulation of RhoA was observed in cells with high motility, regardless of EF. The easy cell manipulation and precise field control of the microfluidic devices may enable further study of tumor heterogeneity in complex electrotactic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen, Research Institutes of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Heng Zou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen, Research Institutes of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaomei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen, Research Institutes of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen, Research Institutes of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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Chou TY, Sun YS, Hou HS, Wu SY, Zhu Y, Cheng JY, Lo KY. Designing Microfluidic Devices for Studying Cellular Responses Under Single or Coexisting Chemical/Electrical/Shear Stress Stimuli. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27584698 DOI: 10.3791/54397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic devices are capable of creating a precise and controllable cellular micro-environment of pH, temperature, salt concentration, and other physical or chemical stimuli. They have been commonly used for in vitro cell studies by providing in vivo like surroundings. Especially, how cells response to chemical gradients, electrical fields, and shear stresses has drawn many interests since these phenomena are important in understanding cellular properties and functions. These microfluidic chips can be made of glass substrates, silicon wafers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates, or polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) substrates. Out of these materials, PMMA substrates are cheap and can be easily processed using laser ablation and writing. Although a few microfluidic devices have been designed and fabricated for generating multiple, coexisting chemical and electrical stimuli, none of them was considered efficient enough in reducing experimental repeats, particular for screening purposes. In this report, we describe our design and fabrication of two PMMA-based microfluidic chips for investigating cellular responses, in the production of reactive oxygen species and the migration, under single or coexisting chemical/electrical/shear stress stimuli. The first chip generates five relative concentrations of 0, 1/8, 1/2, 7/8, and 1 in the culture regions, together with a shear stress gradient produced inside each of these areas. The second chip generates the same relative concentrations, but with five different electric field strengths created within each culture area. These devices not only provide cells with a precise, controllable micro-environment but also greatly increase the experimental throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yuan Chou
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University
| | | | - Hsien-San Hou
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica
| | - Shang-Ying Wu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica
| | - Kai-Yin Lo
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University;
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Tsai HF, Cheng JY, Chang HF, Yamamoto T, Shen AQ. Uniform electric field generation in circular multi-well culture plates using polymeric inserts. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26222. [PMID: 27193911 PMCID: PMC4872143 DOI: 10.1038/srep26222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Applying uniform electric field (EF) in vitro in the physiological range has been achieved in rectangular shaped microchannels. However, in a circular-shaped device, it is difficult to create uniform EF from two electric potentials due to different electrical resistances originated from the length difference between the diameter of the circle and the length of any parallel chord of the bottom circular chamber where cells are cultured. To address this challenge, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided designed (CAD) polymeric insert to create uniform EF in circular shaped multi-well culture plates. A uniform EF with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.2% in the 6-well plate can be generated with an effective stimulation area percentage of 69.5%. In particular, NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells are used to validate the performance of the 3D designed Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) inserts in a circular-shaped 6-well plate. The CAD based inserts can be easily scaled up (i.e., 100 mm dishes) to further increase effective stimulation area percentages, and also be implemented in commercially available cultureware for a wide variety of EF-related research such as EF-cell interaction and tissue regeneration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Fang Chang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Tadashi Yamamoto
- Cell Signal Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Amy Q Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
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14
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Hou HS, Chang HF, Cheng JY. Electrotaxis Studies of Lung Cancer Cells using a Multichannel Dual-electric-field Microfluidic Chip. J Vis Exp 2015:e53340. [PMID: 26780080 DOI: 10.3791/53340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The behavior of directional cell migration under a direct current electric-field (dcEF) is referred to as electrotaxis. The significant role of physiological dcEF in guiding cell movement during embryo development, cell differentiation, and wound healing has been demonstrated in many studies. By applying microfluidic chips to an electrotaxis assay, the investigation process is shortened and experimental errors are minimized. In recent years, microfluidic devices made of polymeric substances (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA, or acrylic) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been widely used in studying the responses of cells to electrical stimulation. However, unlike the numerous steps required to fabricate a PDMS device, the simple and rapid construction of the acrylic microfluidic chip makes it suitable for both device prototyping and production. Yet none of the reported devices facilitate the efficient study of the simultaneous chemical and dcEF effects on cells. In this report, we describe our design and fabrication of an acrylic-based multichannel dual-electric-field (MDF) chip to investigate the concurrent effect of chemical and electrical stimulation on lung cancer cells. The MDF chip provides eight combinations of electrical/chemical stimulations in a single test. The chip not only greatly shortens the required experimental time but also increases accuracy in electrotaxis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-San Hou
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica
| | | | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica; Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University; Biophotonics & Molecular Imaging Research Center (BMIRC), National Yang-Ming University; Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University; Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University;
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15
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Wu SY, Hou HS, Sun YS, Cheng JY, Lo KY. Correlation between cell migration and reactive oxygen species under electric field stimulation. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2015; 9:054120. [PMID: 26487906 PMCID: PMC4600077 DOI: 10.1063/1.4932662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is an essential process involved in the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Electric fields (EFs) are one of the many physical and chemical factors known to affect cell migration, a phenomenon termed electrotaxis or galvanotaxis. In this paper, a microfluidics chip was developed to study the migration of cells under different electrical and chemical stimuli. This chip is capable of providing four different strengths of EFs in combination with two different chemicals via one simple set of agar salt bridges and Ag/AgCl electrodes. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded inside this chip to study their migration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to different EF strengths and the presence of β-lapachone. We found that both the EF and β-lapachone level increased the cell migration rate and the production of ROS in an EF-strength-dependent manner. A strong linear correlation between the cell migration rate and the amount of intracellular ROS suggests that ROS are an intermediate product by which EF and β-lapachone enhance cell migration. Moreover, an anti-oxidant, α-tocopherol, was found to quench the production of ROS, resulting in a decrease in the migration rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Ying Wu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University , Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-San Hou
- Research Center for Applied Sciences , Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Shin Sun
- Department of Physics, Fu-Jen Catholic University , New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Research Center for Applied Sciences , Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yin Lo
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University , Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Tsai HF, Tsai YC, Yagur-Kroll S, Palevsky N, Belkin S, Cheng JY. Water pollutant monitoring by a whole cell array through lens-free detection on CCD. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:1472-1480. [PMID: 25608666 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01189a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination has become a serious problem to human and environmental health, as exposure to a wide range of possible contaminants continuously increases due to industrial and agricultural activities. Whole cell sensors have been proposed as a powerful tool to detect class-specific toxicants based upon their biological activity and bioavailability. We demonstrated a robust toxicant detection platform based on a bioluminescence whole cell sensor array biochip (LumiChip). LumiChip harbors an integrated temperature control and a 16-member sensor array, as well as a simple but highly efficient luminescence collection setup. On LumiChip, samples were infused in an oxygen-permeable microfluidic flow channel to reach the sensor array. Time-lapse changes in bioluminescence emitted by the array members were measured on a single window-removed linear charge-coupled device (CCD) commonly used in commercial industrial process control or in barcode readers. Removal of the protective window on the linear CCD allowed lens-free direct interfacing of LumiChip to the CCD surface for measurement with high light collection efficiency. Bioluminescence induced by simulated contamination events was detected within 15 to 45 minutes. The portable LumiSense system utilizing the linear CCD in combination with the miniaturized LumiChip is a promising potential platform for on-site environmental monitoring of toxicant contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
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Collective migration exhibits greater sensitivity but slower dynamics of alignment to applied electric fields. Cell Mol Bioeng 2015; 8:247-257. [PMID: 26692908 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-015-0383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During development and disease, cells migrate collectively in response to gradients in physical, chemical and electrical cues. Despite its physiological significance and potential therapeutic applications, electrotactic collective cell movement is relatively less well understood. Here, we analyze the combined effect of intercellular interactions and electric fields on the directional migration of non-transformed mammary epithelial cells, MCF-10A. Our data show that clustered cells exhibit greater sensitivity to applied electric fields but align more slowly than isolated cells. Clustered cells achieve half-maximal directedness with an electric field that is 50% weaker than that required by isolated cells; however, clustered cells take ∼2-4 fold longer to align. This trade-off in greater sensitivity and slower dynamics correlates with the slower speed and intrinsic directedness of collective movement even in the absence of an electric field. Whereas isolated cells exhibit a persistent random walk, the trajectories of clustered cells are more ballistic as evidenced by the superlinear dependence of their mean square displacement on time. Thus, intrinsically-directed, slower clustered cells take longer to redirect and align with an electric field. These findings help to define the operating space and the engineering trade-offs for using electric fields to affect cell movement in biomedical applications.
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18
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Cohen DJ, Nelson WJ, Maharbiz MM. Galvanotactic control of collective cell migration in epithelial monolayers. NATURE MATERIALS 2014; 13:409-417. [PMID: 24608142 DOI: 10.1038/nmat3891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Many normal and pathological biological processes involve the migration of epithelial cell sheets. This arises from complex emergent behaviour resulting from the interplay between cellular signalling networks and the forces that physically couple the cells. Here, we demonstrate that collective migration of an epithelium can be interactively guided by applying electric fields that bias the underlying signalling networks. We show that complex, spatiotemporal cues are locally interpreted by the epithelium, resulting in rapid, coordinated responses such as a collective U-turn, divergent migration, and unchecked migration against an obstacle. We observed that the degree of external control depends on the size and shape of the cell population, and on the existence of physical coupling between cells. Together, our results offer design and engineering principles for the rational manipulation of the collective behaviour and material properties of a tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Cohen
- Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - W James Nelson
- Department of Biology and Molelcular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Michel M Maharbiz
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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Li Z, Liu W, Qiu T, Xie L, Chen W, Liu R, Lu Y, Mitchelson K, Wang J, Qiao J, Cheng J. The construction of an interfacial valve-based microfluidic chip for thermotaxis evaluation of human sperm. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:024102. [PMID: 24803958 PMCID: PMC3987097 DOI: 10.1063/1.4866851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Thermotaxis has been demonstrated to be an important criterion for sperm evaluation, yet clinical assessment of thermotaxis capacity is currently lacking. In this article, the on-chip thermotaxis evaluation of human sperm is presented for the first time using an interfacial valve-facilitated microfluidic device. The temperature gradient was established and accurately controlled by an external temperature gradient control system. The temperature gradient responsive sperm population was enriched into one of the branch channels with higher temperature setting and the non-responsive ones were evenly distributed into the two branch channels. We employed air-liquid interfacial valves to ensure stable isolation of the two branches, facilitating convenient manipulation of the entrapped sperm. With this device, thermotactic responses were observed in 5.7%-10.6% of the motile sperm moving through four temperature ranges (34.0-35.3 °C, 35.0-36.3 °C, 36.0-37.3 °C, and 37.0-38.3 °C, respectively). In conclusion, we have developed a new method for high throughput clinical evaluation of sperm thermotaxis and this method may allow other researchers to derive better IVF procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoqi Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Weiran Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Tian Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lan Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Weixing Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Keith Mitchelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center of Reproduction Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing 100084, China ; National Engineering Research Center for Beijing Biochip Technology, 18 Life Science Parkway, Beijing 102206, China ; The State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Wu J, Lin F. Recent Developments in Electrotaxis Assays. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2014; 3:149-155. [PMID: 24761355 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2013.0453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Significance: A wide range of cell types can migrate in response to physiological or externally applied direct current electric field (dcEF), a process termed electrotaxis. In particular, electrotaxis of epithelial cells to wound-generated dcEF for mediating wound healing is a well-accepted mechanism. In addition, various immune cells have been demonstrated to undergo electrotaxis, suggesting a link between electrotaxis and inflammatory responses in wound healing. Electrotaxis research will generate important insight into the electrical guiding mechanism for cell migration thereby providing the scientific basis to further develop clinical applications for wound care. Development of advanced electrotaxis assays will critically enable in-depth experimental electrotaxis studies in vitro. Recent Advances: Recently, a number of new electrotaxis assays or new uses of previously developed assays for electrotaxis studies have been reported. These new developments provide improved solutions for experimental throughput, configuration of three-dimensional cell migration environments and coexisting guiding signals, measurements of collective electrotactic cell migration, and sorting electrotactic populations. Critical Issues: These new developments face the challenge of playing a more important role to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying electrotaxis, in addition to making a stronger impact on relevant applications. Future Directions: On one hand, specific electrotaxis assays should be further developed to improve its function and tested for a broader range of experimental conditions and electrotactic populations. On the other hand, joint efforts among electrotaxis researchers are needed to integrate the unique features of specific electrotaxis assays, allowing more advanced and efficient electrotaxis analyses to answer both basic science and clinical questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiandong Wu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Francis Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Tsai HF, Huang CW, Chang HF, Chen JJW, Lee CH, Cheng JY. Evaluation of EGFR and RTK signaling in the electrotaxis of lung adenocarcinoma cells under direct-current electric field stimulation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73418. [PMID: 23951353 PMCID: PMC3739739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological electric field (EF) plays a pivotal role in tissue development and regeneration. In vitro, cells under direct-current electric field (dcEF) stimulation may demonstrate directional migration (electrotaxis) and long axis reorientation (electro-alignment). Although the biophysical models and biochemical signaling pathways behind cell electrotaxis have been investigated in numerous normal cells and cancer cells, the molecular signaling mechanisms in CL1 lung adenocarcinoma cells have not been identified. Two subclones of CL1 cells, the low invasive CL1-0 cells and the highly invasive CL 1-5 cells, were investigated in the present study. CL1-0 cells are non-electrotactic while the CL 1-5 cells are anodally electrotactic and have high expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in this study, we investigated the generally accepted hypothesis of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation in the two cell lines under dcEF stimulation. Erbitux, a therapeutic drug containing an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, cetuximab, was used to investigate the EGFR signaling in the electrotaxis of CL 1-5 cells. To investigate RTK phosphorylation and intracellular signaling in the CL1 cells, large amount of cellular proteins were collected in an airtight dcEF stimulation device, which has advantages of large culture area, uniform EF distribution, easy operation, easy cell collection, no contamination, and no medium evaporation. Commercial antibody arrays and Western blotting were used to study the phosphorylation profiles of major proteins in CL1 cells under dcEF stimulation. We found that electrotaxis of CL 1-5 cells is serum independent and EGFR independent. Moreover, the phosphorylation of Akt and S6 ribosomal protein (rpS6) in dcEF-stimulated CL1 cells are different from that in EGF-stimulated cells. This result suggests that CL1 cells' response to dcEF stimulation is not through EGFR-triggered pathways. The new large-scale dcEF stimulation device developed in the present work will aid the sample preparation for protein-based experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biophotonics & Molecular Imaging Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Wen Huang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Fang Chang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jeremy J. W. Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Hwang Lee
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biophotonics & Molecular Imaging Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ji-Yen Cheng
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biophotonics & Molecular Imaging Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Tsai HF, Peng SW, Wu CY, Chang HF, Cheng JY. Electrotaxis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in a multiple-electric-field chip with uniform flow field. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2012; 6:34116. [PMID: 24009650 PMCID: PMC3448594 DOI: 10.1063/1.4749826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We report a new design of microfluidic chip (Multiple electric Field with Uniform Flow chip, MFUF chip) to create multiple electric field strengths (EFSs) while providing a uniform flow field simultaneously. MFUF chip was fabricated from poly-methyl methacrylates (PMMA) substrates by using CO2 laser micromachining. A microfluidic network with interconnecting segments was utilized to de-couple the flow field and the electric field (EF). Using our special design, different EFSs were obtained in channel segments that had an identical cross-section and therefore a uniform flow field. Four electric fields with EFS ratio of 7.9:2.8:1:0 were obtained with flow velocity variation of only 7.8% CV (coefficient of variation). Possible biological effect of shear force can therefore be avoided. Cell behavior under three EFSs and the control condition, where there is no EF, was observed in a single experiment. We validated MFUF chip performance using lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and then used the chip to study the electrotaxis of HSC-3, an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The MFUF chip has high throughput capability for studying the EF-induced cell behavior under various EFSs, including the control condition (EFS = 0).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsieh-Fu Tsai
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan ; Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan ; Biophotonics and Molecular Imaging Research Center (BMIRC), National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
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