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Hernández-Hatibi S, Guerrero PE, García-Aznar JM, García-Gareta E. Polydopamine Interfacial Coating for Stable Tumor-on-a-Chip Models: Application for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5169-5180. [PMID: 39083627 PMCID: PMC11323005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Addressing current challenges in solid tumor research requires advanced in vitro three-dimensional (3D) cellular models that replicate the inherently 3D architecture and microenvironment of tumor tissue, including the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, tumor cells exert mechanical forces that can disrupt the physical integrity of the matrix in long-term 3D culture. Therefore, it is necessary to find the optimal balance between cellular forces and the preservation of matrix integrity. This work proposes using polydopamine (PDA) coating for 3D microfluidic cultures of pancreatic cancer cells to overcome matrix adhesion challenges to sustain representative tumor 3D cultures. Using PDA's distinctive adhesion and biocompatibility, our model uses type I collagen hydrogels seeded with different pancreatic cancer cell lines, prompting distinct levels of matrix deformation and contraction. Optimizing the PDA coating enhances the adhesion and stability of collagen hydrogels within microfluidic devices, achieving a balance between the disruptive forces of tumor cells on matrix integrity and the maintenance of long-term 3D cultures. The findings reveal how this tension appears to be a critical determinant in spheroid morphology and growth dynamics. Stable and prolonged 3D culture platforms are crucial for understanding solid tumor cell behavior, dynamics, and responses within a controlled microenvironment. This advancement ultimately offers a powerful tool for drug screening, personalized medicine, and wider cancer therapeutics strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Hernández-Hatibi
- Multiscale
in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon
Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering and
Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Pedro Enrique Guerrero
- Multiscale
in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon
Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering and
Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Aznar
- Multiscale
in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon
Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering and
Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Aragon
Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Elena García-Gareta
- Multiscale
in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon
Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering and
Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Aragon
Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Division
of Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
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2
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Yu T, Yang Q, Peng B, Gu Z, Zhu D. Vascularized organoid-on-a-chip: design, imaging, and analysis. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:147-172. [PMID: 38409567 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09905-z] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Vascularized organoid-on-a-chip (VOoC) models achieve substance exchange in deep layers of organoids and provide a more physiologically relevant system in vitro. Common designs for VOoC primarily involve two categories: self-assembly of endothelial cells (ECs) to form microvessels and pre-patterned vessel lumens, both of which include the hydrogel region for EC growth and allow for controlled fluid perfusion on the chip. Characterizing the vasculature of VOoC often relies on high-resolution microscopic imaging. However, the high scattering of turbid tissues can limit optical imaging depth. To overcome this limitation, tissue optical clearing (TOC) techniques have emerged, allowing for 3D visualization of VOoC in conjunction with optical imaging techniques. The acquisition of large-scale imaging data, coupled with high-resolution imaging in whole-mount preparations, necessitates the development of highly efficient analysis methods. In this review, we provide an overview of the chip designs and culturing strategies employed for VOoC, as well as the applicable optical imaging and TOC methods. Furthermore, we summarize the vascular analysis techniques employed in VOoC, including deep learning. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges in VOoC and vascular analysis methods and provide an outlook for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics - MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Advanced Biomedical Imaging Facility, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Qihang Yang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics - MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Advanced Biomedical Imaging Facility, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Bo Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, China
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China
- Institute of Biomaterials and Medical Devices, Southeast University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215163, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics - MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Advanced Biomedical Imaging Facility, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
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Serrano JC, Gillrie MR, Li R, Ishamuddin SH, Moeendarbary E, Kamm RD. Microfluidic-Based Reconstitution of Functional Lymphatic Microvasculature: Elucidating the Role of Lymphatics in Health and Disease. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2302903. [PMID: 38059806 PMCID: PMC10837354 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge of the blood microvasculature and its functional role in health and disease has grown significantly attributable to decades of research and numerous advances in cell biology and tissue engineering; however, the lymphatics (the secondary vascular system) has not garnered similar attention, in part due to a lack of relevant in vitro models that mimic its pathophysiological functions. Here, a microfluidic-based approach is adopted to achieve precise control over the biological transport of growth factors and interstitial flow that drive the in vivo growth of lymphatic capillaries (lymphangiogenesis). The engineered on-chip lymphatics with in vivo-like morphology exhibit tissue-scale functionality with drainage rates of interstitial proteins and molecules comparable to in vivo standards. Computational and scaling analyses of the underlying transport phenomena elucidate the critical role of the three-dimensional geometry and lymphatic endothelium in recapitulating physiological drainage. Finally, the engineered on-chip lymphatics enabled studies of lymphatic-immune interactions that revealed inflammation-driven responses by the lymphatics to recruit immune cells via chemotactic signals similar to in vivo, pathological events. This on-chip lymphatics platform permits the interrogation of various lymphatic biological functions, as well as screening of lymphatic-based therapies such as interstitial absorption of protein therapeutics and lymphatic immunomodulation for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean C. Serrano
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Mark R. Gillrie
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
- Department of Medicine University of CalgaryCalgaryABT2N 1N4Canada
| | - Ran Li
- Center for Systems Biology Massachusetts General Hospital Research InstituteBostonMA02114USA
| | - Sarah H. Ishamuddin
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
- 199 Biotechnologies LtdGloucester RoadLondonW2 6LDUK
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
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4
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Rahman Z, Bordoloi AD, Rouhana H, Tavasso M, van der Zon G, Garbin V, Ten Dijke P, Boukany PE. Interstitial flow potentiates TGF-β/Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids in a 3D-microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:422-433. [PMID: 38087979 PMCID: PMC10826459 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00886j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer cells use mechanotransduction pathways to convert biophysical forces to biochemical signals. However, the underlying mechanisms and functional significance of these pathways remain largely unclear. The upregulation of mechanosensitive pathways from biophysical forces such as interstitial flow (IF), leads to the activation of various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). TGF-β promotes in part via a Smad-dependent signaling pathway the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. The latter process is linked to increased cancer cell motility and invasion. Current research models have limited ability to investigate the combined effects of biophysical forces (such as IF) and cytokines (TGF-β) in a 3D microenvironment. We used a 3D-matrix based microfluidic platform to demonstrate the potentiating effect of IF on exogenous TGF-β induced upregulation of the Smad-signaling activity and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin in A549 lung cancer spheroids. To monitor this, we used stably integrated fluorescent based reporters into the A549 cancer cell genome. Our results demonstrate that IF enhances exogenous TGF-β induced Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids embedded in a matrix microenvironment. In addition, we observed an increased cell motility for A549 spheroids when exposed to IF and TGF-β. Our 3D-microfluidic model integrated with real-time imaging provides a powerful tool for investigating cancer cell signaling and motility associated with invasion characteristics in a physiologically relevant TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Rahman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Ankur Deep Bordoloi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Haifa Rouhana
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Margherita Tavasso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Gerard van der Zon
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria Garbin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pouyan E Boukany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
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5
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Wang H, Lu J, Rathod M, Aw WY, Huang SA, Polacheck WJ. A facile fluid pressure system reveals differential cellular response to interstitial pressure gradients and flow. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:054103. [PMID: 37781136 PMCID: PMC10539030 DOI: 10.1063/5.0165119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial fluid pressure gradients and interstitial flow have been shown to drive morphogenic processes that shape tissues and influence progression of diseases including cancer. The advent of porous media microfluidic approaches has enabled investigation of the cellular response to interstitial flow, but questions remain as to the critical biophysical and biochemical signals imparted by interstitial fluid pressure gradients and resulting flow on resident cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we introduce a low-cost method to maintain physiological interstitial fluid pressures that is built from commonly accessible laboratory equipment, including a laser pointer, camera, Arduino board, and a commercially available linear actuator. We demonstrate that when the system is connected to a microfluidic device containing a 3D porous hydrogel, physiologic pressure is maintained with sub-Pascal resolution and when basic feedback control is directed using an Arduino, constant pressure and pressure gradient can be maintained even as cells remodel and degrade the ECM hydrogel over time. Using this model, we characterized breast cancer cell growth and ECM changes to ECM fibril structure and porosity in response to constant interstitial fluid pressure or constant interstitial flow. We observe increased collagen fibril bundling and the formation of porous structures in the vicinity of cancer cells in response to constant interstitial fluid pressure as compared to constant interstitial flow. Collectively, these results further define interstitial fluid pressure as a driver of key pathogenic responses in cells, and the systems and methods developed here will allow for future mechanistic work investigating mechanotransduction of interstitial fluid pressures and flows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Jingming Lu
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Mitesh Rathod
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Wen Yih Aw
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Huang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
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6
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Nam U, Lee S, Jeon JS. Generation of a 3D Outer Blood-Retinal Barrier with Advanced Choriocapillaris and Its Application in Diabetic Retinopathy in a Microphysiological System. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:4929-4939. [PMID: 37494673 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB) provides an optimal environment for the function of the photoreceptor by regulating the exchange of molecules between subretinal space and the choriocapillaris, and its dysfunction could impair the photoreceptor's function and vision. The existing in vitro models have limitations in reproducing the barrier function or physiological characteristics of oBRB and choriocapillaris. Here, we engineered a microphysiological system-based oBRB-choriocapillaris model that simultaneously incorporates the desired physiological characteristics and is simple to fabricate. First, we generated microvascular networks to mimic choriocapillaris and investigated the role of fibroblasts in vasculogenesis. By adding retinal pigment epithelial cells to one side of blood vessels formed with endothelial cells and fibroblasts and optimizing their culture medium conditions, we established an oBRB-choriocapillaris model. To verify the physiological similarity of our oBRB-choriocapillaris model, we identified the polarization and expression of the tight junction of the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, and the fenestral diaphragm of choriocapillaris. Finally, we tried to recapitulate the diabetes mellitus environment in our model with hyperglycemia and diabetes-related cytokines. This induced a decrease in tight junction integrity, loss of barrier function, and shrinkage of blood vessels, similar to the in vivo pathological changes observed in the oBRB and choriocapillaris. The oBRB-choriocapillaris model developed using a microphysiological system is expected to offer a valuable in vitro platform for retinal and choroidal vascular diseases in preclinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ungsig Nam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jessie S Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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7
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Milton LA, Viglione MS, Ong LJY, Nordin GP, Toh YC. Vat photopolymerization 3D printed microfluidic devices for organ-on-a-chip applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3537-3560. [PMID: 37476860 PMCID: PMC10448871 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00094j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Organs-on-a-chip, or OoCs, are microfluidic tissue culture devices with micro-scaled architectures that repeatedly achieve biomimicry of biological phenomena. They are well positioned to become the primary pre-clinical testing modality as they possess high translational value. Current methods of fabrication have facilitated the development of many custom OoCs that have generated promising results. However, the reliance on microfabrication and soft lithographic fabrication techniques has limited their prototyping turnover rate and scalability. Additive manufacturing, known commonly as 3D printing, shows promise to expedite this prototyping process, while also making fabrication easier and more reproducible. We briefly introduce common 3D printing modalities before identifying two sub-types of vat photopolymerization - stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) - as the most advantageous fabrication methods for the future of OoC development. We then outline the motivations for shifting to 3D printing, the requirements for 3D printed OoCs to be competitive with the current state of the art, and several considerations for achieving successful 3D printed OoC devices touching on design and fabrication techniques, including a survey of commercial and custom 3D printers and resins. In all, we aim to form a guide for the end-user to facilitate the in-house generation of 3D printed OoCs, along with the future translation of these important devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Milton
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Matthew S Viglione
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Louis Jun Ye Ong
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre (MPQC) for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gregory P Nordin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Max Planck Queensland Centre (MPQC) for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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Pele KG, Amaveda H, Mora M, Marcuello C, Lostao A, Alamán-Díez P, Pérez-Huertas S, Ángeles Pérez M, García-Aznar JM, García-Gareta E. Hydrocolloids of Egg White and Gelatin as a Platform for Hydrogel-Based Tissue Engineering. Gels 2023; 9:505. [PMID: 37367175 DOI: 10.3390/gels9060505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovative materials are needed to produce scaffolds for various tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) applications, including tissue models. Materials derived from natural sources that offer low production costs, easy availability, and high bioactivity are highly preferred. Chicken egg white (EW) is an overlooked protein-based material. Whilst its combination with the biopolymer gelatin has been investigated in the food technology industry, mixed hydrocolloids of EW and gelatin have not been reported in TERM. This paper investigates these hydrocolloids as a suitable platform for hydrogel-based tissue engineering, including 2D coating films, miniaturized 3D hydrogels in microfluidic devices, and 3D hydrogel scaffolds. Rheological assessment of the hydrocolloid solutions suggested that temperature and EW concentration can be used to fine-tune the viscosity of the ensuing gels. Fabricated thin 2D hydrocolloid films presented globular nano-topography and in vitro cell work showed that the mixed hydrocolloids had increased cell growth compared with EW films. Results showed that hydrocolloids of EW and gelatin can be used for creating a 3D hydrogel environment for cell studies inside microfluidic devices. Finally, 3D hydrogel scaffolds were fabricated by sequential temperature-dependent gelation followed by chemical cross-linking of the polymeric network of the hydrogel for added mechanical strength and stability. These 3D hydrogel scaffolds displayed pores, lamellae, globular nano-topography, tunable mechanical properties, high affinity for water, and cell proliferation and penetration properties. In conclusion, the large range of properties and characteristics of these materials provide a strong potential for a large variety of TERM applications, including cancer models, organoid growth, compatibility with bioprinting, or implantable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karinna Georgiana Pele
- Multiscale in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering & Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Hippolyte Amaveda
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC and University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Mario Mora
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC and University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Carlos Marcuello
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC and University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Anabel Lostao
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC and University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzadas (LMA), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Pilar Alamán-Díez
- Multiscale in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering & Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Salvador Pérez-Huertas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Andalusia, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Pérez
- Multiscale in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering & Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering & Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
| | - Elena García-Gareta
- Multiscale in Mechanical & Biological Engineering Research Group, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), School of Engineering & Architecture, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
- Division of Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
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9
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3D collagen migration patterns reveal a SMAD3-dependent and TGF-β1-independent mechanism of recruitment for tumour-associated fibroblasts in lung adenocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:967-981. [PMID: 36572730 PMCID: PMC10006167 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02093-x] [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: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TGF-β1 transcription factor SMAD3 is epigenetically repressed in tumour-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) from lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) but not adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients, which elicits a compensatory increase in SMAD2 that renders SCC-TAFs less fibrotic. Here we examined the effects of altered SMAD2/3 in fibroblast migration and its impact on the desmoplastic stroma formation in lung cancer. METHODS We used a microfluidic device to examine descriptors of early protrusions and subsequent migration in 3D collagen gels upon knocking down SMAD2 or SMAD3 by shRNA in control fibroblasts and TAFs. RESULTS High SMAD3 conditions as in shSMAD2 fibroblasts and ADC-TAFs exhibited a migratory advantage in terms of protrusions (fewer and longer) and migration (faster and more directional) selectively without TGF-β1 along with Erk1/2 hyperactivation. This enhanced migration was abrogated by TGF-β1 as well as low glucose medium and the MEK inhibitor Trametinib. In contrast, high SMAD2 fibroblasts were poorly responsive to TGF-β1, high glucose and Trametinib, exhibiting impaired migration in all conditions. CONCLUSIONS The basal migration advantage of high SMAD3 fibroblasts provides a straightforward mechanism underlying the larger accumulation of TAFs previously reported in ADC compared to SCC. Moreover, our results encourage using MEK inhibitors in ADC-TAFs but not SCC-TAFs.
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10
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Palma-Florez S, López-Canosa A, Moralez-Zavala F, Castaño O, Kogan MJ, Samitier J, Lagunas A, Mir M. BBB-on-a-chip with integrated micro-TEER for permeability evaluation of multi-functionalized gold nanorods against Alzheimer's disease. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:115. [PMID: 36978078 PMCID: PMC10053726 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of predictive models that mimic the blood-brain barrier (BBB) hinders the development of effective drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Animal models behave differently from humans, are expensive and have ethical constraints. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms offer several advantages to resembling physiological and pathological conditions in a versatile, reproducible, and animal-free manner. In addition, OoC give us the possibility to incorporate sensors to determine cell culture features such as trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Here, we developed a BBB-on-a-chip (BBB-oC) platform with a TEER measurement system in close distance to the barrier used for the first time for the evaluation of the permeability performance of targeted gold nanorods for theranostics of Alzheimer's disease. GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 is a therapeutic nanosystem previously developed by us consisting of gold nanorods (GNR) functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG), angiopep-2 peptide (Ang2) to overcome the BBB and the D1 peptide as beta amyloid fibrillation inhibitor, finally obtaining GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 which showed to be useful for disaggregation of the amyloid in in vitro and in vivo models. In this work, we evaluated its cytotoxicity, permeability, and some indications of its impact on the brain endothelium by employing an animal-free device based on neurovascular human cells. RESULTS In this work, we fabricated a BBB-oC with human astrocytes, pericytes and endothelial cells and a TEER measuring system (TEER-BBB-oC) integrated at a micrometric distance of the endothelial barrier. The characterization displayed a neurovascular network and the expression of tight junctions in the endothelium. We produced GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 and determined its non-cytotoxic range (0.05-0.4 nM) for plated cells included in the BBB-oC and confirmed its harmless effect at the highest concentration (0.4 nM) in the microfluidic device. The permeability assays revealed that GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1 cross the BBB and this entry is facilitated by Ang2 peptide. Parallel to the permeability analysis of GNR-PEG-Ang2/D1, an interesting behavior of the TJs expression was observed after its administration probably related to the ligands on the nanoparticle surface. CONCLUSIONS BBB-oC with a novel TEER integrated setup which allow a correct read-out and cell imaging monitoring was proven as a functional and throughput platform to evaluate the brain permeability performance of nanotherapeutics in a physiological environment with human cells, putting forward a viable alternative to animal experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujey Palma-Florez
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrián López-Canosa
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Moralez-Zavala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santos Dumont 964, 8380494, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Santiago, Chile
| | - Oscar Castaño
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santos Dumont 964, 8380494, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Santiago, Chile
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Lagunas
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mònica Mir
- Nanobioengineering group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 12 Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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11
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Safaeifard F, Goliaei B, Aref AR, Foroughmand-Araabi MH, Goliaei S, Lorch J, Jenkins RW, Barbie DA, Shariatpanahi SP, Rüegg C. Distinct Dynamics of Migratory Response to PD-1 and CTLA-4 Blockade Reveals New Mechanistic Insights for Potential T-Cell Reinvigoration following Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cells 2022; 11:3534. [PMID: 36428963 PMCID: PMC9688893 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), two clinically relevant targets for the immunotherapy of cancer, are negative regulators of T-cell activation and migration. Optimizing the therapeutic response to CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade calls for a more comprehensive insight into the coordinated function of these immune regulators. Mathematical modeling can be used to elucidate nonlinear tumor-immune interactions and highlight the underlying mechanisms to tackle the problem. Here, we investigated and statistically characterized the dynamics of T-cell migration as a measure of the functional response to these pathways. We used a previously developed three-dimensional organotypic culture of patient-derived tumor spheroids treated with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies for this purpose. Experiment-based dynamical modeling revealed the delayed kinetics of PD-1 activation, which originates from the distinct characteristics of PD-1 and CTLA-4 regulation, and followed through with the modification of their contributions to immune modulation. The simulation results show good agreement with the tumor cell reduction and active immune cell count in each experiment. Our findings demonstrate that while PD-1 activation provokes a more exhaustive intracellular cascade within a mature tumor environment, the time-delayed kinetics of PD-1 activation outweighs its preeminence at the individual cell level and consequently confers a functional dominance to the CTLA-4 checkpoint. The proposed model explains the distinct immunostimulatory pattern of PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade based on mechanisms involved in the regulation of their expression and may be useful for planning effective treatment schemes targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateme Safaeifard
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Bahram Goliaei
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Amir R. Aref
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Xsphera Biosciences Inc., Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | | | - Sama Goliaei
- Faculty of New Sciences & Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran
| | - Jochen Lorch
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Russell W. Jenkins
- MassGeneral Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Seyed Peyman Shariatpanahi
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Curzio Rüegg
- Laboratory of Experimental and Translational Oncology, Department of Oncology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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12
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Nguyen T, Ho L, Moinuddin SM, Sarkar T, Saha D, Ahsan F. Multicellular Cell Seeding on a Chip: New Design and Optimization towards Commercialization. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080587. [PMID: 36004984 PMCID: PMC9405756 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper shows both experimental and in-depth theoretical studies (including simulations and analytical solutions) on a microfluidic platform to optimize its design and use for 3D multicellular co-culture applications, e.g., creating a tissue-on-chip model for investigating diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A tissue microfluidic chip usually has more than two channels to seed cells and supply media. These channels are often separated by barriers made of micro-posts. The optimization for the structures of these micro-posts and their spacing distances is not considered previously, especially for the aspects of rapid and cost-efficient fabrication toward scaling up and commercialization. Our experimental and theoretical (COMSOL simulations and analytical solutions) results showed the followings: (i) The cell seeding was performed successfully for this platform when the pressure drops across the two posts were significantly larger than those across the channel width. The circular posts can be used in the position of hexagonal or other shapes. (ii) In this work, circular posts are fabricated and used for the first time. They offer an excellent barrier effect, i.e., prevent the liquid and gel from migrating from one channel to another. (iii) As for rapid and cost-efficient production, our computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) simulation confirms that circular-post fabrication is much easier and more rapid than hexagonal posts when utilizing micro-machining techniques, e.g., micro-milling for creating the master mold, i.e., the shim for polymer injection molding. The findings open up a possibility for rapid, cost-efficient, large-scale fabrication of the tissue chips using micro-milling instead of expensive clean-room (soft) lithography techniques, hence enhancing the production of biochips via thermoplastic polymer injection molding and realizing commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trieu Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (T.N.); (L.H.); (S.M.M.); (T.S.)
- East Bay Institute for Research & Education (EBIRE), Mather, CA 95655, USA;
| | - Linh Ho
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (T.N.); (L.H.); (S.M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Sakib M. Moinuddin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (T.N.); (L.H.); (S.M.M.); (T.S.)
- East Bay Institute for Research & Education (EBIRE), Mather, CA 95655, USA;
| | - Tanoy Sarkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (T.N.); (L.H.); (S.M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Dipongkor Saha
- East Bay Institute for Research & Education (EBIRE), Mather, CA 95655, USA;
| | - Fakhrul Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (T.N.); (L.H.); (S.M.M.); (T.S.)
- East Bay Institute for Research & Education (EBIRE), Mather, CA 95655, USA;
- MedLuidics, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Shuchat S, Yossifon G, Huleihel M. Perfusion in Organ-on-Chip Models and Its Applicability to the Replication of Spermatogenesis In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5402. [PMID: 35628214 PMCID: PMC9141186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ/organoid-on-a-chip (OoC) technologies aim to replicate aspects of the in vivo environment in vitro, at the scale of microns. Mimicking the spatial in vivo structure is important and can provide a deeper understanding of the cell-cell interactions and the mechanisms that lead to normal/abnormal function of a given organ. It is also important for disease models and drug/toxin testing. Incorporating active fluid flow in chip models enables many more possibilities. Active flow can provide physical cues, improve intercellular communication, and allow for the dynamic control of the environment, by enabling the efficient introduction of biological factors, drugs, or toxins. All of this is in addition to the fundamental role of flow in supplying nutrition and removing waste metabolites. This review presents an overview of the different types of fluid flow and how they are incorporated in various OoC models. The review then describes various methods and techniques of incorporating perfusion networks into OoC models, including self-assembly, bioprinting techniques, and utilizing sacrificial gels. The second part of the review focuses on the replication of spermatogenesis in vitro; the complex process whereby spermatogonial stem cells differentiate into mature sperm. A general overview is given of the various approaches that have been used. The few studies that incorporated microfluidics or vasculature are also described. Finally, a future perspective is given on elements from perfusion-based models that are currently used in models of other organs and can be applied to the field of in vitro spermatogenesis. For example, adopting tubular blood vessel models to mimic the morphology of the seminiferous tubules and incorporating vasculature in testis-on-a-chip models. Improving these models would improve our understanding of the process of spermatogenesis. It may also potentially provide novel therapeutic strategies for pre-pubertal cancer patients who need aggressive chemotherapy that can render them sterile, as well asfor a subset of non-obstructive azoospermic patients with maturation arrest, whose testes do not produce sperm but still contain some of the progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sholom Shuchat
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (S.S.); (G.Y.)
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; (S.S.); (G.Y.)
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Mahmoud Huleihel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
- The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
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14
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AbuMadighem A, Shuchat S, Lunenfeld E, Yossifon G, Huleihel M. Testis on a chip - a microfluidic 3-dimensional culture system for the development of spermatogenesis in-vitro. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35334473 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac6126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This research presents a novel Testis-on-a Chip- platform. Testicular cells are enzymatically isolated from the seminiferous tubules of sexually immature mice, seeded in a methylcellulose gel and cultured in a microfluidic chip. The unique design sandwiches the soft methylcellulose between stiffer agar support gels. The cells develop into organoids continuing to proliferate and differentiate. After seven weeks of culture the cells have over 95% viability. Confocal microscopy of the developed organoids reveals a structure containing the various stages of spermatogenesis up to and including meiosis II: premeiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells. The organoid structure also contains the supporting Sertoli and peritubular cells. The responsiveness of the system to the addition of testosterone and retinoic acid to the culture medium during the experiment are also investigated. As a benchmark, the Testis-on-a-Chip is compared to a conventional three-dimensional methylcellulose cell culture in a well plate. Analysis via FACS (Fluorescence-activated cell sorting) shows more haploid cells in the chip as compared to the plates. Immunofluorescence staining after seven weeks of culture shows more differentiated cells in the chip as compared to the well plate. This demonstrates the feasibility of our platform as well as its advantages. This research opens new horizons for the study and realization of spermatogenesis in-vitro. It can also enable the implementation of microfluidic technologies in future therapeutic strategies for pre pubertal male fertility preservation and adults with maturation arrest. Lastly, it can serve as a platform for drug and toxin testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali AbuMadighem
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Southern, 84105, ISRAEL
| | - Sholom Shuchat
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Haifa, Haifa, 3200003, ISRAEL
| | - Eitan Lunenfeld
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Beer-Sheva, Southern, 84105, ISRAEL
| | - Gilad Yossifon
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Haifa, Haifa, 3200003, ISRAEL
| | - Mahmoud Huleihel
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beer-Sheva, 84105, ISRAEL
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15
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Coskun UC, Kus F, Rehman AU, Morova B, Gulle M, Baser H, Kul D, Kiraz A, Baysal K, Erten A. An Easy-to-Fabricate Microfluidic Shallow Trench Induced Three-Dimensional Cell Culturing and Imaging (STICI3D) Platform. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:8281-8293. [PMID: 35309421 PMCID: PMC8928507 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the established monolayer approach of two-dimensional cell cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures more closely resemble in vivo models; that is, the cells interact and form clusters mimicking their organization in native tissue. Therefore, the cellular microenvironment of these 3D cultures proves to be more clinically relevant. In this study, we present a novel easy-to-fabricate microfluidic shallow trench induced 3D cell culturing and imaging (STICI3D) platform, suitable for rapid fabrication as well as mass manufacturing. Our design consists of a shallow trench, within which various hydrogels can be formed in situ via capillary action, between and fully in contact with two side channels that allow cell seeding and media replenishment, as well as forming concentration gradients of various molecules. Compared to a micropillar-based burst valve design, which requires sophisticated microfabrication facilities, our capillary-based STICI3D can be fabricated using molds prepared with simple adhesive tapes and razors alone. The simple design supports the easy applicability of mass-production methods such as hot embossing and injection molding as well. To optimize the STICI3D design, we investigated the effect of individual design parameters such as corner radii, trench height, and surface wettability under various inlet pressures on the confinement of a hydrogel solution within the shallow trench using Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations supported with experimental validation. We identified ideal design values that improved the robustness of hydrogel confinement and reduced the effect of end-user dependent factors such as hydrogel solution loading pressure. Finally, we demonstrated cultures of human mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical cord endothelial cells in the STICI3D to show that it supports 3D cell cultures and enables precise control of cellular microenvironment and real-time microscopic imaging. The easy-to-fabricate and highly adaptable nature of the STICI3D platform makes it suitable for researchers interested in fabricating custom polydimethylsiloxane devices as well as those who are in need of ready-to-use plastic platforms. As such, STICI3Ds can be used in imaging cell-cell interactions, angiogenesis, semiquantitative analysis of drug response in cells, and measurement of transport through cell sheet barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Can Coskun
- Faculty
of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Istanbul
Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Funda Kus
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ateeq Ur Rehman
- Biomedical
Eng. Technology Program, Foundation University
Islamabad, Islamabad Phase-I, DHA, Pakistan
| | - Berna Morova
- Department
of Physics, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Merve Gulle
- Department
of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Hatice Baser
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Demet Kul
- School of
Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Koç
University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Alper Kiraz
- Department
of Physics, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Kemal Baysal
- School of
Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Koç
University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- KUTTAM,
Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Erten
- Department
of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
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16
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van Steen ACI, Kempers L, Schoppmeyer R, Blokker M, Beebe DJ, Nolte MA, van Buul JD. Transendothelial migration induces differential migration dynamics of leukocytes in tissue matrix. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:272419. [PMID: 34622930 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258690] [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: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte extravasation into inflamed tissue is a complex process that is difficult to capture as a whole in vitro. We employed a blood-vessel-on-a-chip model in which human endothelial cells were cultured in a tube-like lumen in a collagen-1 matrix. The vessels are leak tight, creating a barrier for molecules and leukocytes. Addition of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (also known as TNF) caused vasoconstriction, actin remodelling and upregulation of ICAM-1. Introducing leukocytes into the vessels allowed real-time visualization of all different steps of the leukocyte transmigration cascade, including migration into the extracellular matrix. Individual cell tracking over time distinguished striking differences in migratory behaviour between T-cells and neutrophils. Neutrophils cross the endothelial layer more efficiently than T-cells, but, upon entering the matrix, neutrophils display high speed but low persistence, whereas T-cells migrate with low speed and rather linear migration. In conclusion, 3D imaging in real time of leukocyte extravasation in a vessel-on-a-chip enables detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of different stages of the full leukocyte extravasation process in a single assay. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham C I van Steen
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lanette Kempers
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rouven Schoppmeyer
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy (LCAM), Section of Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max Blokker
- Department of Physics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Drive, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Martijn A Nolte
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap D van Buul
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy (LCAM), Section of Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Harada A, Matsumoto S, Yasumizu Y, Shojima K, Akama T, Eguchi H, Kikuchi A. Localization of KRAS downstream target ARL4C to invasive pseudopods accelerates pancreatic cancer cell invasion. eLife 2021; 10:66721. [PMID: 34590580 PMCID: PMC8598236 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate due to metastasis. Whereas KRAS is mutated in most pancreatic cancer patients, controlling KRAS or its downstream effectors has not been succeeded clinically. ARL4C is a small G protein whose expression is induced by the Wnt and EGF–RAS pathways. In the present study, we found that ARL4C is frequently overexpressed in pancreatic cancer patients and showed that its localization to invasive pseudopods is required for cancer cell invasion. IQGAP1 was identified as a novel interacting protein for ARL4C. ARL4C recruited IQGAP1 and its downstream effector, MMP14, to invasive pseudopods. Specific localization of ARL4C, IQGAP1, and MMP14 was the active site of invasion, which induced degradation of the extracellular matrix. Moreover, subcutaneously injected antisense oligonucleotide against ARL4C into tumor-bearing mice suppressed metastasis of pancreatic cancer. These results suggest that ARL4C–IQGAP1–MMP14 signaling is activated at invasive pseudopods of pancreatic cancer cells. Most cases of pancreatic cancer are detected in the later stages when they are difficult to treat and, as a result, survival is low. Over 90% of pancreatic cancers contain genetic changes that increase the activity of a protein called KRAS. This hyperactive KRAS drives cancer growth and progression. Attempts to treat pancreatic cancer using drugs that reduce the activity of KRAS have so far failed. The KRAS protein can accelerate growth in healthy cells as well as in cancer and it does this by activating various other proteins. Drugs that target some of these other proteins could be more effective at treating pancreatic cancer than the drugs that target KRAS. One of these potential targets is called ARL4C. ARL4C is active during fetal development, but it is often not present in adult tissues. Harada et al. investigated whether the protein is important in pancreatic cancer, and what other roles it has in the body, to better understand if it is a good target for cancer treatment. First, Harada et al. used cells grown in the lab to show that ARL4C contributes to the aggressive spread of human pancreatic cancers. Using mice, Harada et al. also showed that blocking the activity of ARL4C in pancreatic cancers helped to slow their progression. Harada et al.’s results suggest that ARL4C could be a good target for new drugs treating pancreatic cancers. Given that this protein does not seem to have important roles in the cells of adults, targeting it is unlikely to have major side effects. Further investigation of ARL4C in more human-like animal models will help to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akikazu Harada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Yasumizu
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Japan.,Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, WPI Frontier Immunology Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kensaku Shojima
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Gene Expression Laboratory (GEL-B), Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, United States
| | - Toshiyuki Akama
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Akira Kikuchi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Japan
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18
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Tan ML, Ling L, Fischbach C. Engineering strategies to capture the biological and biophysical tumor microenvironment in vitro. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113852. [PMID: 34197895 PMCID: PMC8440401 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research and advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities, cancer remains a major global healthcare challenge. This is due in part to a lack of model systems that allow investigating the mechanisms underlying tumor development, progression, and therapy resistance under relevant conditions in vitro. Tumor cell interactions with their surroundings influence all stages of tumorigenesis and are shaped by both biological and biophysical cues including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, tissue architecture and mechanics, and mass transport. Engineered tumor models provide promising platforms to elucidate the individual and combined contributions of these cues to tumor malignancy under controlled and physiologically relevant conditions. This review will summarize current knowledge of the biological and biophysical microenvironmental cues that influence tumor development and progression, present examples of in vitro model systems that are presently used to study these interactions and highlight advancements in tumor engineering approaches to further improve these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Tan
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Lu Ling
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA; Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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19
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Rahmanian M, Seyfoori A, Ghasemi M, Shamsi M, Kolahchi AR, Modarres HP, Sanati-Nezhad A, Majidzadeh-A K. In-vitro tumor microenvironment models containing physical and biological barriers for modelling multidrug resistance mechanisms and multidrug delivery strategies. J Control Release 2021; 334:164-177. [PMID: 33895200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The complexity and heterogeneity of the three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment have brought challenges to tumor studies and cancer treatment. The complex functions and interactions of cells involved in tumor microenvironment have led to various multidrug resistance (MDR) and raised challenges for cancer treatment. Traditional tumor models are limited in their ability to simulate the resistance mechanisms and not conducive to the discovery of multidrug resistance and delivery processes. New technologies for making 3D tissue models have shown the potential to simulate the 3D tumor microenvironment and identify mechanisms underlying the MDR. This review overviews the main barriers against multidrug delivery in the tumor microenvironment and highlights the advances in microfluidic-based tumor models with the success in simulating several drug delivery barriers. It also presents the progress in modeling various genetic and epigenetic factors involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment as a noticeable insight in 3D microfluidic tumor models for recognizing multidrug resistance and delivery mechanisms. Further correlation between the results obtained from microfluidic drug resistance tumor models and the clinical MDR data would open up avenues to gain insight into the performance of different multidrug delivery treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Rahmanian
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, Iran
| | - Amir Seyfoori
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ghasemi
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center (BCRC), Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, Iran
| | - Milad Shamsi
- Center for BioEngineering Research and Education (CBRE), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; BioMEMS and Bioinspired Microfluidic Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Ahmad Rezaei Kolahchi
- BioMEMS and Bioinspired Microfluidic Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Hassan Pezeshgi Modarres
- BioMEMS and Bioinspired Microfluidic Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Amir Sanati-Nezhad
- Center for BioEngineering Research and Education (CBRE), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; BioMEMS and Bioinspired Microfluidic Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, Iran; Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center (BCRC), Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran 1517964311, Iran.
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20
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Zhang S, Wan Z, Kamm RD. Vascularized organoids on a chip: strategies for engineering organoids with functional vasculature. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:473-488. [PMID: 33480945 PMCID: PMC8283929 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01186j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Human organoids, self-organized and differentiated from homogenous pluripotent stem cells (PSC), replicate the key structural and functional characteristics of their in vivo counterparts. Despite the rapid advancement of organoid technology and its diverse applications, major limitations in achieving truly in vivo like functionality have been the lack of matured structural organization and constraints on tissue size, both of which are direct consequences of lacking a functional vasculature. In the absence of perfusable vessels, a core region within organoids quickly becomes necrotic during development due to increased metabolic demands that cannot be met by diffusion alone. Thus, incorporating functional vasculature in organoid models is indispensable for their growth in excess of several hundred microns and maturaturation beyond the embryonic and fetal phase. Here, we review recent advancements in vascularizing organoids and engineering in vitro capillary beds, and further explore strategies to integrate them on a microfluidic based platform, aiming for establishing perfused vasculature throughout organoids in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Zhang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Zhengpeng Wan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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21
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Feiner-Gracia N, Glinkowska Mares A, Buzhor M, Rodriguez-Trujillo R, Samitier Marti J, Amir RJ, Pujals S, Albertazzi L. Real-Time Ratiometric Imaging of Micelles Assembly State in a Microfluidic Cancer-on-a-Chip. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 4:669-681. [PMID: 33490884 PMCID: PMC7818510 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The performance of supramolecular nanocarriers as drug delivery systems depends on their stability in the complex and dynamic biological media. After administration, nanocarriers are challenged by physiological barriers such as shear stress and proteins present in blood, endothelial wall, extracellular matrix, and eventually cancer cell membrane. While early disassembly will result in a premature drug release, extreme stability of the nanocarriers can lead to poor drug release and low efficiency. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the stability and assembly state of supramolecular carriers in each stage of delivery is the key factor for the rational design of these systems. One of the main challenges is that current 2D in vitro models do not provide exhaustive information, as they fail to recapitulate the 3D tumor microenvironment. This deficiency in the 2D model complexity is the main reason for the differences observed in vivo when testing the performance of supramolecular nanocarriers. Herein, we present a real-time monitoring study of self-assembled micelles stability and extravasation, combining spectral confocal microscopy and a microfluidic cancer-on-a-chip. The combination of advanced imaging and a reliable 3D model allows tracking of micelle disassembly by following the spectral properties of the amphiphiles in space and time during the crucial steps of drug delivery. The spectrally active micelles were introduced under flow and their position and conformation continuously followed by spectral imaging during the crossing of barriers, revealing the interplay between carrier structure, micellar stability, and extravasation. Integrating the ability of the micelles to change their fluorescent properties when disassembled, spectral confocal imaging and 3D microfluidic tumor blood vessel-on-a-chip resulted in the establishment of a robust testing platform suitable for real-time imaging and evaluation of supramolecular drug delivery carrier's stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Feiner-Gracia
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Adrianna Glinkowska Mares
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Buzhor
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,Tel Aviv University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Romen Rodriguez-Trujillo
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Carrer Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier Marti
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Carrer Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roey J Amir
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,Tel Aviv University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,BLAVATNIK CENTER for Drug Discovery, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,The ADAMA Center for Novel Delivery Systems in Crop Protection, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Silvia Pujals
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Carrer Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Albertazzi
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Carrer Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08024 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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22
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Van Zundert I, Fortuni B, Rocha S. From 2D to 3D Cancer Cell Models-The Enigmas of Drug Delivery Research. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E2236. [PMID: 33187231 PMCID: PMC7696259 DOI: 10.3390/nano10112236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, research has made impressive breakthroughs towards drug delivery systems, resulting in a wide range of multifunctional engineered nanoparticles with biomedical applications such as cancer therapy. Despite these significant advances, well-designed nanoparticles rarely reach the clinical stage. Promising results obtained in standard 2D cell culture systems often turn into disappointing outcomes in in vivo models. Although the overall majority of in vitro nanoparticle research is still performed on 2D monolayer cultures, more and more researchers started acknowledging the importance of using 3D cell culture systems, as better models for mimicking the in vivo tumor physiology. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the 3D cancer cell models currently available. We highlight their potential as a platform for drug delivery studies and pinpoint the challenges associated with their use. We discuss in which way each 3D model mimics the in vivo tumor physiology, how they can or have been used in nanomedicine research and to what extent the results obtained so far affect the progress of nanomedicine development. It is of note that the global scientific output associated with 3D models is limited, showing that the use of these systems in nanomedicine investigation is still highly challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatrice Fortuni
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
| | - Susana Rocha
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
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23
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Fuller HC, Wei TY, Behrens MR, Ruder WC. The Future Application of Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies as Proving Grounds for MicroBioRobots. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E947. [PMID: 33092054 PMCID: PMC7589118 DOI: 10.3390/mi11100947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
An evolving understanding of disease pathogenesis has compelled the development of new drug delivery approaches. Recently, bioinspired microrobots have gained traction as drug delivery systems. By leveraging the microscale phenomena found in physiological systems, these microrobots can be designed with greater maneuverability, which enables more precise, controlled drug release. Their function could be further improved by testing their efficacy in physiologically relevant model systems as part of their development. In parallel with the emergence of microscale robots, organ-on-a-chip technologies have become important in drug discovery and physiological modeling. These systems reproduce organ-level functions in microfluidic devices, and can also incorporate specific biological, chemical, and physical aspects of a disease. This review highlights recent developments in both microrobotics and organ-on-a-chip technologies and envisions their combined use for developing future drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley C. Fuller
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Ting-Yen Wei
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Michael R. Behrens
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Warren C. Ruder
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (H.C.F.); (T.-Y.W.); (M.R.B.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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24
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Agrawal P, Reifenberger JG, Dorfman KD. 3D Printing-Enabled DNA Extraction for Long-Read Genomics. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:20817-20824. [PMID: 32875216 PMCID: PMC7450497 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Long-read genomics technologies such as nanopore sequencing and genome mapping in nanochannels extract genomic information in the kilobase to megabase pair range from single DNA molecules, thereby overcoming read-length limitations in next-generation DNA sequencing. Long-read technologies start with long DNA molecules as the input and thus benefit from universal sample preparation methods that are fast and shear-free and present a scope of automation and direct upstream integration. We describe a 3D printing-assisted poly(dimethylysiloxane)-based DNA sample preparation device, where diffusive chemical lysis followed by electrophoresis produces circa 100 ng of long DNA directly from cells with less than 5 min of labor. Assessment of the product DNA by confinement in nanochannels reveals that the DNA sizes are commensurate with the requirements for long-read single-molecule technologies. Microfluidics not only expedites sample preparation, but also offers the opportunity for integration with genomics technologies to eliminate DNA fragmentation and loss during transfer to the genomic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paridhi Agrawal
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, 421 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jeffrey G. Reifenberger
- Bionano
Genomics, Inc., 9540
Towne Centre Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kevin D. Dorfman
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, 421 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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25
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Kaarj K, Madias M, Akarapipad P, Cho S, Yoon JY. Paper-based in vitro tissue chip for delivering programmed mechanical stimuli of local compression and shear flow. J Biol Eng 2020; 14:20. [PMID: 32742306 PMCID: PMC7385864 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-020-00242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Mechanical stimuli play important roles on the growth, development, and behavior of tissue. A simple and novel paper-based in vitro tissue chip was developed that can deliver two types of mechanical stimuli-local compression and shear flow-in a programmed manner. Rat vascular endothelial cells (RVECs) were patterned on collagen-coated nitrocellulose paper to create a tissue chip. Localized compression and shear flow were introduced by simply tapping and bending the paper chip in a programmed manner, utilizing an inexpensive servo motor controlled by an Arduino microcontroller and powered by batteries. All electrical compartments and a paper-based tissue chip were enclosed in a single 3D-printed enclosure, allowing the whole device to be independently placed within an incubator. This simple device effectively simulated in vivo conditions and induced successful RVEC migration in as early as 5 h. The developed device provides an inexpensive and flexible alternative for delivering mechanical stimuli to other in vitro tissue models. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Affiliation(s)
- Kattika Kaarj
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Marianne Madias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | | | - Soohee Cho
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Jeong-Yeol Yoon
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
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26
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Abstract
Angiogenesis is a natural and vital phenomenon of neovascularization that occurs from pre-existing vasculature, being present in many physiological processes, namely in development, reproduction and regeneration. Being a highly dynamic and tightly regulated process, its abnormal expression can be on the basis of several pathologies. For that reason, angiogenesis has been a subject of major interest among the scientific community, being transverse to different areas and founding particular attention in tissue engineering and cancer research fields. Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool for modelling this phenomenon, thereby surpassing the limitations associated to conventional angiogenic models. Holding a tremendous flexibility in terms of experimental design towards a specific goal, microfluidic systems can offer an unlimited number of opportunities for investigating angiogenesis in many relevant scenarios, namely from its fundamental comprehension in normal physiological processes to the identification and testing of new therapeutic targets involved on pathological angiogenesis. Additionally, microvascular 3D in vitro models are now opening up new prospects in different fields, being used for investigating and establishing guidelines for the development of next generation of 3D functional vascularized grafts. The promising applications of this emerging technology in angiogenesis studies are herein overviewed, encompassing fundamental and applied research.
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27
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Kalogiros DI, Russell MJ, Bonneuil WV, Frattolin J, Watson D, Moore JE, Kypraios T, Brook BS. An Integrated Pipeline for Combining in vitro Data and Mathematical Models Using a Bayesian Parameter Inference Approach to Characterize Spatio-temporal Chemokine Gradient Formation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1986. [PMID: 31681255 PMCID: PMC6798077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
All protective and pathogenic immune and inflammatory responses rely heavily on leukocyte migration and localization. Chemokines are secreted chemoattractants that orchestrate the positioning and migration of leukocytes through concentration gradients. The mechanisms underlying chemokine gradient establishment and control include physical as well as biological phenomena. Mathematical models offer the potential to both understand this complexity and suggest interventions to modulate immune function. Constructing models that have powerful predictive capability relies on experimental data to estimate model parameters accurately, but even with a reductionist approach most experiments include multiple cell types, competing interdependent processes and considerable uncertainty. Therefore, we propose the use of reduced modeling and experimental frameworks in complement, to minimize the number of parameters to be estimated. We present a Bayesian optimization framework that accounts for advection and diffusion of a chemokine surrogate and the chemokine CCL19, transport processes that are known to contribute to the establishment of spatio-temporal chemokine gradients. Three examples are provided that demonstrate the estimation of the governing parameters as well as the underlying uncertainty. This study demonstrates how a synergistic approach between experimental and computational modeling benefits from the Bayesian approach to provide a robust analysis of chemokine transport. It provides a building block for a larger research effort to gain holistic insight and generate novel and testable hypotheses in chemokine biology and leukocyte trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris I Kalogiros
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Russell
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Willy V Bonneuil
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Frattolin
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Watson
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James E Moore
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Theodore Kypraios
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bindi S Brook
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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28
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Beckwith AL, Velásquez‐García LF, Borenstein JT. Microfluidic Model for Evaluation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Human Tumors. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1900289. [PMID: 31056856 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201900289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Presented is the first demonstration of real-time monitoring of the response of resident lymphocyte populations in biopsied tumor tissue to immunotherapeutic agents in a perfused tumor microenvironment. This technology comprises a microfluidic tumor trapping device constructed from a novel 3D-printed, transparent, noncytotoxic substrate. The 3D-printed device sustains viability of biopsied tissue fragments under dynamic perfusion for at least 72 h while enabling simultaneous administration of various drug treatments, illustrating a useful tool for drug development and precision medicine for immunotherapy. Confocal microscopy of the tumor tissue and resident lymphocytes in the presence of fluorescent tracers provides real-time monitoring of tumor response to various immunotherapies. Devices are additively manufactured in Pro3dure GR-10 (i.e., a relatively new, high-resolution stereolithographic resin with properties suitable for biomedical applications), allowing integration of a set of finely featured functional components into a monolithically constructed platform. The presented platform comprises a new methodology for modeling and analyzing tumor response for the improved prediction of patient-specific immunotherapy efficacy. It is acknowledged that this is the first report of human tumor fragments cultured in a dynamic perfusion system capable of testing the effect of circulating immune checkpoint inhibitors on resident tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L. Beckwith
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Draper 555 Technology Sq. Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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29
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Polacheck WJ, Kutys ML, Tefft JB, Chen CS. Microfabricated blood vessels for modeling the vascular transport barrier. Nat Protoc 2019; 14:1425-1454. [PMID: 30953042 PMCID: PMC7046311 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium forms the inner lining of blood vessels and actively regulates vascular permeability in response to chemical and physical stimuli. Understanding the molecular pathways and mechanisms that regulate the permeability of blood vessels is of critical importance for developing therapies for cardiovascular dysfunction and disease. Recently, we developed a novel microfluidic human engineered microvessel (hEMV) platform to enable controlled blood flow through a human endothelial lumen within a physiologic 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) into which pericytes and other stromal cells can be introduced to recapitulate tissue-specific microvascular physiology. This protocol describes how to design and fabricate the silicon hEMV device master molds (takes ~1 week) and elastomeric substrates (takes 3 d); how to seed, culture, and apply calibrated fluid shear stress to hEMVs (takes 1-7 d); and how to assess vascular barrier function (takes 1 d) and perform immunofluorescence imaging (takes 3 d).
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Polacheck
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- The Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew L Kutys
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- The Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliann B Tefft
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- The Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher S Chen
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- The Biological Design Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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30
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Schuerle S, Soleimany AP, Yeh T, Anand GM, Häberli M, Fleming HE, Mirkhani N, Qiu F, Hauert S, Wang X, Nelson BJ, Bhatia SN. Synthetic and living micropropellers for convection-enhanced nanoparticle transport. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaav4803. [PMID: 31032412 PMCID: PMC6486269 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav4803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an advantageous drug delivery platform for the treatment of various ailments including cancer and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. However, their efficacy in shuttling materials to diseased tissue is hampered by a number of physiological barriers. One hurdle is transport out of the blood vessels, compounded by difficulties in subsequent penetration into the target tissue. Here, we report the use of two distinct micropropellers powered by rotating magnetic fields to increase diffusion-limited NP transport by enhancing local fluid convection. In the first approach, we used a single synthetic magnetic microrobot called an artificial bacterial flagellum (ABF), and in the second approach, we used swarms of magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) to create a directable "living ferrofluid" by exploiting ferrohydrodynamics. Both approaches enhance NP transport in a microfluidic model of blood extravasation and tissue penetration that consists of microchannels bordered by a collagen matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Schuerle
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A. P. Soleimany
- Harvard Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - T. Yeh
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - G. M. Anand
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - M. Häberli
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - H. E. Fleming
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - N. Mirkhani
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - F. Qiu
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S. Hauert
- Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK
| | - X. Wang
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - B. J. Nelson
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S. N. Bhatia
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Corresponding author.
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Kim S, Masum F, Kim JK, Chung HJ, Jeon JS. On-chip phenotypic investigation of combinatory antibiotic effects by generating orthogonal concentration gradients. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:959-973. [PMID: 30768106 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc01406j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Combinatory therapy using two or more kinds of antibiotics is attracting considerable attention for inhibiting multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria. Although the therapy mostly leads to more powerful antimicrobial effects than using a single antibiotic (synergy), interference may arise from certain antibiotic combinations, resulting in the antimicrobial effect being suppressed (antagonism). Here, we present a microfluidic-based phenotypic screening chip to investigate combinatory antibiotic effects by automatically generating two orthogonal concentration gradients on a bacteria-trapping agarose gel. Computational simulations and fluorescence experiments together verify the simultaneous establishment of 121 concentration combinations, facilitating on-chip drug testing with stability and efficiency. Against Gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, our chip allows the measurement of phenotypic growth levels, and enables various types of analyses for all antibiotic pairs to be conducted in 7 h. Furthermore, by providing a specific amount of susceptibility data, our chip enables the two reference models, Loewe additivity and Bliss independence, to be implemented, which classify the antibiotic interaction types into synergy or antagonism. These results suggest the efficacy of our chip as a cell-based drug screening platform for exploring the underlying pharmacological patterns of antibiotic interactions, with potential applications in guidance in clinical therapies and in screening other cell-type agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunggyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract
A number of outstanding problems in genomics, such as identifying structural variations and sequencing through centromeres and telomeres, stand poised to benefit tremendously from emerging long-read genomics technologies such as nanopore sequencing and genome mapping in nanochannels. However, optimal application of these new genomics technologies requires facile methods for extracting long DNA from cells. These sample preparation tools should be amenable to automation and minimize fragmentation of the long DNA molecules by shear. We present one such approach in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) device, where gel-based high molecular weight DNA extraction and continuous flow purification in a 3D cell culture-inspired geometry is followed by electrophoretic extraction of the long DNA from the miniaturized gel. Molecular combing reveals that the device produces molecules that are typically in excess of 100 kilobase pairs in size, with the longest molecule extending up to 4 megabase pairs. The microfluidic format reduces the standard day-long and labor-intensive DNA extraction process to 4 hours, making it a promising prototype platform for routine long DNA sample preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paridhi Agrawal
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 421 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Kim S, Lee S, Kim JK, Chung HJ, Jeon JS. Microfluidic-based observation of local bacterial density under antimicrobial concentration gradient for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:014108. [PMID: 30867878 PMCID: PMC6404913 DOI: 10.1063/1.5066558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The need for accurate and efficient antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) has been emphasized with respect to the emerging antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria which has increased over the recent decades. In this study, we introduce a microfluidic system that enables rapid formation of the antibiotic concentration gradient with convenient bacterial growth measurement based on color scales. Furthermore, we expanded the developed system to analyze combinatory effects of antibiotics and measured the collective antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria compared to single microfluidic AST methods. By injecting a continuous flow precisely into the channel, the system enabled the concentration gradient to be established between two parallel channels of different antibiotic concentrations within 30 min, before bacteria enter the exponential growth phase. Moreover, the local bacterial growth levels under antibiotic gradient were quantitatively determined by calculating the position-specific grayscale values from the microscopic images and were compared with the conventional optical density measurement method. We tested five antibiotic types on our platform for the pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and we were able to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at which 90% to 95% of bacterial growth was inhibited. Finally, we demonstrated the efficacy of our system by showing that most of the antibiotic MICs determined in our platform show good agreement with the MIC range suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunggyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Seokhun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Ju-Kang Kim
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
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Biglari S, Le TYL, Tan RP, Wise SG, Zambon A, Codolo G, De Bernard M, Warkiani M, Schindeler A, Naficy S, Valtchev P, Khademhosseini A, Dehghani F. Simulating Inflammation in a Wound Microenvironment Using a Dermal Wound-on-a-Chip Model. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1801307. [PMID: 30511808 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201801307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in the field of microfluidics to develop complex systems for modeling human skin and dermal wound healing processes. While microfluidic models have attempted to integrate multiple cell types and/or 3D culture systems, to date they have lacked some elements needed to fully represent dermal wound healing. This paper describes a cost-effective, multicellular microfluidic system that mimics the paracrine component of early inflammation close to normal wound healing. Collagen and Matrigel are tested as materials for coating and adhesion of dermal fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The wound-on-chip model consists of three interconnecting channels and is able to simulate wound inflammation by adding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or by triculturing with macrophages. Both the approaches significantly increase IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 in the supernatant (p < 0.05), and increases in cytokine levels are attenuated by cotreatment with an anti-inflammatory agent, Dexamethasone. Incorporation of M1 and M2 macrophages cocultured with fibroblasts and HUVECs leads to a stimulation of cytokine production as well as vascular structure formation, particularly with M2 macrophages. In summary, this wound-on-chip system can be used to model the paracrine component of the early inflammatory phase of wound healing and has the potential for the screening of anti-inflammatory compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Biglari
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
| | - Thi Y. L. Le
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
| | | | - Steven G. Wise
- Heart Research Institute Sydney 2042 Australia
- Sydney Medical School University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
| | - Alessandro Zambon
- Department of Industrial Engineering University of Padua Padua 35122 Italy
| | - Gaia Codolo
- Department of Biology University of Padua Padua 35122 Italy
| | | | - Majid Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering University Technology of Sydney Sydney 2007 Australia
| | - Aaron Schindeler
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
- Orthopedic Research & Biotechnology Unit The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead 2145 Australia
| | - Sina Naficy
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
| | - Peter Valtchev
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department of Bioengineering Department of Radiology California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Fariba Dehghani
- School of Chemical Biomolecular Engineering University of Sydney Sydney 2006 Australia
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Michna R, Gadde M, Ozkan A, DeWitt M, Rylander M. Vascularized microfluidic platforms to mimic the tumor microenvironment. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 115:2793-2806. [PMID: 29940072 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic technology has led to the development of advanced in vitro tumor platforms that overcome the challenges of in vivo animal and in vitro two dimensional models. This paper presents platform designs and methods used to develop complex vascularized in vitro models to mimic the tumor microenvironment. Features of these platforms include a continuous, aligned endothelium that allows for cell-cell interactions between vasculature and tumor cells. A novel platform for fabrication of a single endothelialized microchannel encased within a collagen platform hosting breast cancer cells was developed and utilized to study the influence of cellular interaction on transport phenomenon through vasculature in a hyperpermeable tumor microenvironment. This platform relies on subtractive tissue engineering fabrication techniques. Through confocal imaging we have demonstrated that the platform produces enhanced vessel leakiness recapitulating physiological features of the tumor microenvironment. The influence of tumor endothelial interactions on transport of particles was also demonstrated. Additionally, we designed two more complex and intricate endothelialized microfluidic networks by combining lithographic techniques with additive tissue engineering methods. We created a network platform consisting of interconnected microchannels to model a highly vascularized system and successfully perfused the system with fluorescent particles. Finally, we developed a physiologically representative in vitro microfluidic platform with vasculature patterned from in vivo data showing the versatility of these systems to replicate the complex geometries of tumor microvasculature and dynamically measured particle transport. Overall, we have shown the ability to develop functional microfluidic vascular tumor platforms of varying complexities and demonstrated their utility for studying spatial particle transport within these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Michna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Manasa Gadde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Alican Ozkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Matthew DeWitt
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Marissa Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Plou J, Juste-Lanas Y, Olivares V, Del Amo C, Borau C, García-Aznar JM. From individual to collective 3D cancer dissemination: roles of collagen concentration and TGF-β. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12723. [PMID: 30143683 PMCID: PMC6109049 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have the ability to migrate from the primary (original) site to other places in the body. The extracellular matrix affects cancer cell migratory capacity and has been correlated with tissue-specific spreading patterns. However, how the matrix orchestrates these behaviors remains unclear. Here, we investigated how both higher collagen concentrations and TGF-β regulate the formation of H1299 cell (a non-small cell lung cancer cell line) spheroids within 3D collagen-based matrices and promote cancer cell invasive capacity. We show that at low collagen concentrations, tumor cells move individually and have moderate invasive capacity, whereas when the collagen concentration is increased, the formation of cell clusters is promoted. In addition, when the concentration of TGF-β in the microenvironment is lower, most of the clusters are aggregates of cancer cells with a spheroid-like morphology and poor migratory capacity. In contrast, higher concentrations of TGF-β induced the formation of clusters with a notably higher invasive capacity, resulting in clear strand-like collective cell migration. Our results show that the concentration of the extracellular matrix is a key regulator of the formation of tumor clusters that affects their development and growth. In addition, chemical factors create a microenvironment that promotes the transformation of idle tumor clusters into very active, invasive tumor structures. These results collectively demonstrate the relevant regulatory role of the mechano-chemical microenvironment in leading the preferential metastasis of tumor cells to specific tissues with high collagen concentrations and TFG-β activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Plou
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Y Juste-Lanas
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - V Olivares
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Del Amo
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J M García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
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37
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Bertulli C, Gerigk M, Piano N, Liu Y, Zhang D, Müller T, Knowles TJ, Huang YYS. Image-Assisted Microvessel-on-a-Chip Platform for Studying Cancer Cell Transendothelial Migration Dynamics. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12480. [PMID: 30127372 PMCID: PMC6102203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
With the push to reduce in vivo approaches, the demand for microphysiological models that recapitulate the in vivo settings in vitro is dramatically increasing. Here, we present an extracellular matrix-integrated microfluidic chip with a rounded microvessel of ~100 µm in diameter. Our system displays favorable characteristics for broad user adaptation: simplified procedure for vessel creation, minimised use of reagents and cells, and the ability to couple live-cell imaging and image analysis to study dynamics of cell-microenvironment interactions in 3D. Using this platform, the dynamic process of single breast cancer cells (LM2-4175) exiting the vessel lumen into the surrounding extracellular matrix was tracked. Here, we show that the presence of endothelial lining significantly reduced the cancer exit events over the 15-hour imaging period: there were either no cancer cells exiting, or the fraction of spontaneous exits was positively correlated with the number of cancer cells in proximity to the endothelial barrier. The capability to map the z-position of individual cancer cells within a 3D vessel lumen enabled us to observe cancer cell transmigration 'hot spot' dynamically. We also suggest the variations in the microvessel qualities may lead to the two distinct types of cancer transmigration behaviour. Our findings provide a tractable in vitro model applicable to other areas of microvascular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bertulli
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Magda Gerigk
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Nicholas Piano
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Duo Zhang
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Thomas Müller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.,Fluidic Analytics Ltd., Cambridge, CB4 3NP, UK
| | - Tuomas J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
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Bachmann B, Spitz S, Rothbauer M, Jordan C, Purtscher M, Zirath H, Schuller P, Eilenberger C, Ali SF, Mühleder S, Priglinger E, Harasek M, Redl H, Holnthoner W, Ertl P. Engineering of three-dimensional pre-vascular networks within fibrin hydrogel constructs by microfluidic control over reciprocal cell signaling. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:042216. [PMID: 29983840 PMCID: PMC6010359 DOI: 10.1063/1.5027054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Reengineering functional vascular networks in vitro remains an integral part in tissue engineering, since the incorporation of non-perfused tissues results in restricted nutrient supply and limited waste removal. Microfluidic devices are routinely used to mimic both physiological and pathological vascular microenvironments. Current procedures either involve the investigation of growth factor gradients and interstitial flow on endothelial cell sprouting alone or on the heterotypic cell-cell interactions between endothelial and mural cells. However, limited research has been conducted on the influence of flow on co-cultures of these cells. Here, we exploited the ability of microfluidics to create and monitor spatiotemporal gradients to investigate the influence of growth factor supply and elution on vascularization using static as well as indirect and direct flow setups. Co-cultures of human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in fibrin hydrogels were found to be severely affected by diffusion limited growth factor gradients as well as by elution of reciprocal signaling molecules during both static and flow conditions. Static cultures formed pre-vascular networks up to a depth of 4 mm into the construct with subsequent decline due to diffusion limitation. In contrast, indirect flow conditions enhanced endothelial cell sprouting but failed to form vascular networks. Additionally, complete inhibition of pre-vascular network formation was observable for direct application of flow through the hydrogel with decline of endothelial cell viability after seven days. Using finite volume CFD simulations of different sized molecules vital for pre-vascular network formation into and out of the hydrogel constructs, we found that interstitial flow enhances growth factor supply to the cells in the bulk of the chamber but elutes cellular secretome, resulting in truncated, premature vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mario Rothbauer
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Jordan
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Purtscher
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helene Zirath
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Schuller
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Eilenberger
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Michael Harasek
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Peter Ertl
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Nano-scale microfluidics to study 3D chemotaxis at the single cell level. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198330. [PMID: 29879160 PMCID: PMC5991685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed migration of cells relies on their ability to sense directional guidance cues and to interact with pericellular structures in order to transduce contractile cytoskeletal- into mechanical forces. These biomechanical processes depend highly on microenvironmental factors such as exposure to 2D surfaces or 3D matrices. In vivo, the majority of cells are exposed to 3D environments. Data on 3D cell migration are mostly derived from intravital microscopy or collagen-based in vitro assays. Both approaches offer only limited controllability of experimental conditions. Here, we developed an automated microfluidic system that allows positioning of cells in 3D microenvironments containing highly controlled diffusion-based chemokine gradients. Tracking migration in such gradients was feasible in real time at the single cell level. Moreover, the setup allowed on-chip immunocytochemistry and thus linking of functional with phenotypical properties in individual cells. Spatially defined retrieval of cells from the device allows down-stream off-chip analysis. Using dendritic cells as a model, our setup specifically allowed us for the first time to quantitate key migration characteristics of cells exposed to identical gradients of the chemokine CCL19 yet placed on 2D vs in 3D environments. Migration properties between 2D and 3D migration were distinct. Morphological features of cells migrating in an in vitro 3D environment were similar to those of cells migrating in animal tissues, but different from cells migrating on a surface. Our system thus offers a highly controllable in vitro-mimic of a 3D environment that cells traffic in vivo.
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40
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Del Amo C, Olivares V, Cóndor M, Blanco A, Santolaria J, Asín J, Borau C, García-Aznar JM. Matrix architecture plays a pivotal role in 3D osteoblast migration: The effect of interstitial fluid flow. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 83:52-62. [PMID: 29677555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Osteoblast migration is a crucial process in bone regeneration, which is strongly regulated by interstitial fluid flow. However, the exact role that such flow exerts on osteoblast migration is still unclear. To deepen the understanding of this phenomenon, we cultured human osteoblasts on 3D microfluidic devices under different fluid flow regimes. Our results show that a slow fluid flow rate by itself is not able to alter the 3D migratory patterns of osteoblasts in collagen-based gels but that at higher fluid flow rates (increased flow velocity) may indirectly influence cell movement by altering the collagen microstructure. In fact, we observed that high fluid flow rates (1 µl/min) are able to alter the collagen matrix architecture and to indirectly modulate the migration pattern. However, when these collagen scaffolds were crosslinked with a chemical crosslinker, specifically, transglutaminase II, we did not find significant alterations in the scaffold architecture or in osteoblast movement. Therefore, our data suggest that high interstitial fluid flow rates can regulate osteoblast migration by means of modifying the orientation of collagen fibers. Together, these results highlight the crucial role of the matrix architecture in 3D osteoblast migration. In addition, we show that interstitial fluid flow in conjunction with the matrix architecture regulates the osteoblast morphology in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Del Amo
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Olivares
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mar Cóndor
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro Blanco
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Santolaria
- Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesús Asín
- Department of Statistical Methods, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
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41
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Wang M, Ong LLS, Dauwels J, Asada HH. Multicell migration tracking within angiogenic networks by deep learning-based segmentation and augmented Bayesian filtering. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2018; 5:024005. [PMID: 29900184 PMCID: PMC5998841 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.5.2.024005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is a key feature for living organisms. Image analysis tools are useful in studying cell migration in three-dimensional (3-D) in vitro environments. We consider angiogenic vessels formed in 3-D microfluidic devices (MFDs) and develop an image analysis system to extract cell behaviors from experimental phase-contrast microscopy image sequences. The proposed system initializes tracks with the end-point confocal nuclei coordinates. We apply convolutional neural networks to detect cell candidates and combine backward Kalman filtering with multiple hypothesis tracking to link the cell candidates at each time step. These hypotheses incorporate prior knowledge on vessel formation and cell proliferation rates. The association accuracy reaches 86.4% for the proposed algorithm, indicating that the proposed system is able to associate cells more accurately than existing approaches. Cell culture experiments in 3-D MFDs have shown considerable promise for improving biology research. The proposed system is expected to be a useful quantitative tool for potential microscopy problems of MFDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Wang
- Nanyang Technological University, Energy Research Institute, Singapore
| | | | - Justin Dauwels
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Singapore
| | - H. Harry Asada
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
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Abstract
NOTCH signalling is an evolutionarily conserved juxtacrine signalling pathway that is essential in development. Jagged1 (JAG1) and Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) are transmembrane NOTCH ligands that regulate angiogenesis by controlling endothelial cell (EC) differentiation, vascular development and maturation. In addition, DLL4 could bypass its canonical cell-cell contact-dependent signalling to influence NOTCH signalling and angiogenesis at a distance when it is packaged into extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, it is not clear whether JAG1 could also be packaged into EVs to influence NOTCH signalling and angiogenesis. In this work, we demonstrate that JAG1 is also packaged into EVs. We present evidence that JAG1-EVs inhibit NOTCH signalling and regulate EC behaviour and function. JAG1-EVs inhibited VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and migration in 2D culture condition and suppressed sprouting in a 3D microfluidic microenvironment. JAG1-EV treatment of HUVECs leads to a reduction of Notch1 intracellular domain (N1-ICD), and the proteasome and the intracellular domain of JAG1 (JAG1-ICD) are both required for this reduction to occur. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of JAG1 function in NOTCH signalling and ECs through EVs.
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43
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Kim K, Kim S, Jeon JS. Visual Estimation of Bacterial Growth Level in Microfluidic Culture Systems. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 18:E447. [PMID: 29401651 PMCID: PMC5855051 DOI: 10.3390/s18020447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices are an emerging platform for a variety of experiments involving bacterial cell culture, and has advantages including cost and convenience. One inevitable step during bacterial cell culture is the measurement of cell concentration in the channel. The optical density measurement technique is generally used for bacterial growth estimation, but it is not applicable to microfluidic devices due to the small sample volumes in microfluidics. Alternately, cell counting or colony-forming unit methods may be applied, but these do not work in situ; nor do these methods show measurement results immediately. To this end, we present a new vision-based method to estimate the growth level of the bacteria in microfluidic channels. We use Fast Fourier transform (FFT) to detect the frequency level change of the microscopic image, focusing on the fact that the microscopic image becomes rough as the number of cells in the field of view increases, adding high frequencies to the spectrum of the image. Two types of microfluidic devices are used to culture bacteria in liquid and agar gel medium, and time-lapsed images are captured. The images obtained are analyzed using FFT, resulting in an increase in high-frequency noise proportional to the time passed. Furthermore, we apply the developed method in the microfluidic antibiotics susceptibility test by recognizing the regional concentration change of the bacteria that are cultured in the antibiotics gradient. Finally, a deep learning-based data regression is performed on the data obtained by the proposed vision-based method for robust reporting of data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyukwang Kim
- Robotics Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Seunggyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Jessie S Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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Movilla N, Borau C, Valero C, García-Aznar JM. Degradation of extracellular matrix regulates osteoblast migration: A microfluidic-based study. Bone 2018; 107:10-17. [PMID: 29107125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bone regeneration is strongly dependent on the capacity of cells to move in a 3D microenvironment, where a large cascade of signals is activated. To improve the understanding of this complex process and to advance in the knowledge of the role of each specific signal, it is fundamental to analyze the impact of each factor independently. Microfluidic-based cell culture is an appropriate technology to achieve this objective, because it allows recreating realistic 3D local microenvironments by taking into account the extracellular matrix, cells and chemical gradients in an independent or combined scenario. The main aim of this work is to analyze the impact of extracellular matrix properties and growth factor gradients on 3D osteoblast movement, as well as the role of cell matrix degradation. For that, we used collagen-based hydrogels, with and without crosslinkers, under different chemical gradients, and eventually inhibiting metalloproteinases to tweak matrix degradation. We found that osteoblast's 3D migratory patterns were affected by the hydrogel properties and the PDGF-BB gradient, although the strongest regulatory factor was determined by the ability of cells to remodel the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Movilla
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Valero
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J M García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
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45
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Du Y, Herath SCB, Wang QG, Asada H, Chen PCY. Determination of Green's function for three-dimensional traction force reconstruction based on geometry and boundary conditions of cell culture matrices. Acta Biomater 2018; 67:215-228. [PMID: 29242157 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration plays a particular important role in the initiation and progression of many physical processes and pathological conditions such as tumor invasion and metastasis. Three-dimensional traction force microscopy (TFM) of high resolution and high accuracy is being developed in an effort to unveil the underlying mechanical process of cell migration in a vivo-like environment. Linear elasticity-based TFM (LETM) as a mainstream approach relies on the Green's function (that relates traction forces to matrix deformation), of which the inherent boundary conditions and geometry of the matrix could remarkably affect the result as suggested by previous 2D studies. In this study, we investigated this close linkage in 3D environment, via modeling of a cell sensing a close-by fixed boundary of a 3D matrix surrounding it, and comparing the reconstructed traction forces from three different solutions of the Green's function, including a fully matching solution derived using the adapted Mindlin's approach. To increase fidelity in the estimate of traction forces for extreme conditions such as a sparse sampling of deformation field or targeting small focal adhesions, we numerically solved the singularity problem of the Green's function in a non-conventional way to avoid exclusion of singular point regions that could contain representative deformation indicators for such extreme conditions. A single case experimental study was conducted for a multi-cellular structure of endothelial cells that just penetrated into the gel at the early stage of angiogenesis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE This study focused on the fundamental issue regarding extension of linear elasticity-based TFM to deal with physically realistic matrices (where cells are encapsulated), which concerns determination of the Green's function matching their geometry and boundary conditions. To increase fidelity in the estimate of traction forces for extreme conditions such as a sparse sampling of deformation field or targeting small focal adhesions, we numerically solved the singularity problem of the Green's function to avoid exclusion of singular point regions that could contain representative deformation indicators for such extreme conditions. The proposed approach to adapting the Green's function for the specific 3D cell culture situation was examined in a single case experimental study of endothelial cells in sprouting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Du
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; BioSystems and Micromechanics Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Program, Singapore
| | - S C B Herath
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; BioSystems and Micromechanics Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Program, Singapore
| | - Q G Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Asada
- BioSystems and Micromechanics Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Program, Singapore; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
| | - P C Y Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; BioSystems and Micromechanics Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Program, Singapore.
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46
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Mohammadi M, Mousavi Shaegh SA, Alibolandi M, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Tamayol A, Jaafari MR, Ramezani M. Micro and nanotechnologies for bone regeneration: Recent advances and emerging designs. J Control Release 2018; 274:35-55. [PMID: 29410062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of critical-size bone defects is a major medical challenge since neither the bone tissue can regenerate nor current regenerative approaches are effective. Emerging progresses in the field of nanotechnology have resulted in the development of new materials, scaffolds and drug delivery strategies to improve or restore the damaged tissues. The current article reviews promising nanomaterials and emerging micro/nano fabrication techniques for targeted delivery of biomolecules for bone tissue regeneration. In addition, recent advances in fabrication of bone graft substitutes with similar properties to normal tissue along with a brief summary of current commercialized bone grafts have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mohammadi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Mousavi Shaegh
- Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ali Tamayol
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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47
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Osaki T, Shin Y, Sivathanu V, Campisi M, Kamm RD. In Vitro Microfluidic Models for Neurodegenerative Disorders. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7. [PMID: 28881425 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic devices enable novel means of emulating neurodegenerative disease pathophysiology in vitro. These organ-on-a-chip systems can potentially reduce animal testing and substitute (or augment) simple 2D culture systems. Reconstituting critical features of neurodegenerative diseases in a biomimetic system using microfluidics can thereby accelerate drug discovery and improve our understanding of the mechanisms of several currently incurable diseases. This review describes latest advances in modeling neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. First, this study summarizes fundamental advantages of microfluidic devices in the creation of compartmentalized cell culture microenvironments for the co-culture of neurons, glial cells, endothelial cells, and skeletal muscle cells and in their recapitulation of spatiotemporal chemical gradients and mechanical microenvironments. Then, this reviews neurodegenerative-disease-on-a-chip models focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Finally, this study discusses about current drawbacks of these models and strategies that may overcome them. These organ-on-chip technologies can be useful to be the first line of testing line in drug development and toxicology studies, which can contribute significantly to minimize the phase of animal testing steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Osaki
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Yoojin Shin
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Vivek Sivathanu
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringPolitecnico di Torino Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 10129 Torino Italy
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institutes of Technology 500 Technology Square, MIT Building, Room NE47‐321 Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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48
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DeWitt MR, Rylander MN. Tunable Collagen Microfluidic Platform to Study Nanoparticle Transport in the Tumor Microenvironment. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1831:159-178. [PMID: 30051431 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8661-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes the motivation and protocol for creating a perfused 3D microfluidic in vitro platform representative of the tumor microenvironment to study nanoparticle transport. The cylindrical vascularized tumor platform described consists of a central endothelialized microchannel surrounded by a collagen hydrogel matrix containing cancer cells. This system can be employed to investigate key nanoparticle transport events in the tumor such as extravasation, diffusion within the extracellular matrix, and nanoparticle uptake. This easily manufactured tumor platform can be used for novel nanoparticle refinement focused on optimizing nanoparticle features such as size, shape, and functionalization method. This can yield ideal nanoparticles with properties that facilitate increased transport within the tumor microenvironment, leading to more effective nanoparticle-based treatments for cancer including nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R DeWitt
- Virginia Tech- Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - M Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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49
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Integration of neurogenesis and angiogenesis models for constructing a neurovascular tissue. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17349. [PMID: 29229920 PMCID: PMC5725567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17411-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular unit (NVU) is a basic unit in the brain, including neurons, glial cells, blood vessels and extracellular matrix. This concept implies the importance of a three-dimensional (3D) culture model including these cell types for investigating brain functions. However, little is known about the construction of an in vitro 3D NVU model. In the present study, we aimed at constructing 3D neurovascular tissues by combining in vitro neurogenesis and angiogenesis models using a microfluidic platform, which is a critical step toward the NVU construction in vitro. Three gel conditions, which were fibrin gel, fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel and fibrin-hyaluronan mixed gel, were investigated to optimize the gel components in terms of neurogenesis and angiogenesis. First, fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel was found to promote neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation into neurons and neurite extension. In particular, 3D neural networks were constructed in 2-8 mg/ml fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel. Second, we found that capillary-like structures were also formed in the fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel by coculturing brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Finally, we combined both neural and vascular culture models and succeeded in constructing 3D neurovascular tissues with an optimized seeding condition of NSCs, BMECs and MSCs.
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50
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Wang M, Ong LLS, Dauwels J, Asada HH. Automated tracking and quantification of angiogenic vessel formation in 3D microfluidic devices. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186465. [PMID: 29136008 PMCID: PMC5685595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is a critical step in cancer invasion. Better understanding of the angiogenic mechanisms is required to develop effective antiangiogenic therapies for cancer treatment. We culture angiogenic vessels in 3D microfluidic devices under different Sphingosin-1-phosphate (S1P) conditions and develop an automated vessel formation tracking system (AVFTS) to track the angiogenic vessel formation and extract quantitative vessel information from the experimental time-lapse phase contrast images. The proposed AVFTS first preprocesses the experimental images, then applies a distance transform and an augmented fast marching method in skeletonization, and finally implements the Hungarian method in branch tracking. When applying the AVFTS to our experimental data, we achieve 97.3% precision and 93.9% recall by comparing with the ground truth obtained from manual tracking by visual inspection. This system enables biologists to quantitatively compare the influence of different growth factors. Specifically, we conclude that the positive S1P gradient increases cell migration and vessel elongation, leading to a higher probability for branching to occur. The AVFTS is also applicable to distinguish tip and stalk cells by considering the relative cell locations in a branch. Moreover, we generate a novel type of cell lineage plot, which not only provides cell migration and proliferation histories but also demonstrates cell phenotypic changes and branch information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Wang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Justin Dauwels
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, Singapore
| | - H. Harry Asada
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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