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A Novel Three-dimensional Flow Chamber Device to Study Chemokine-directed Extravasation of Cells Circulating under Physiological Flow Conditions
Published on: July 15, 2013
Novel three-dimensional Boyden chamber system for studying transendothelial transport
I Hebeiss1, R Truckenmüller, S Giselbrecht
1Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Lab on a Chip
|January 7, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a novel 3D Boyden chamber system to better test drug delivery systems. This new device mimics blood vessels, improving the study of transendothelial transport and cell uptake for potential drug candidates.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Millions of potential drug candidates require advanced in vitro testing.
- Current planar Boyden chambers lack the three-dimensionality of blood vessels.
- There is a need for more physiologically relevant in vitro models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and biologically validate a novel three-dimensional (3D) Boyden chamber system.
- To create a more accurate in vitro model for studying transendothelial transport.
- To enable testing of drug candidates under organotypic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a porous thin-walled microchannel using a SMART process (substrate modification and replication by thermoforming).
- Combination of microthermoforming and ion track technology.
- Culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the inner surface of the microchannel.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of a 3D microchannel system resembling curved blood vessels.
- Establishment of a confluent HUVECs layer within the microchannel.
- Demonstrated application in studying transendothelial transport of a peptoid drug delivery system.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3D Boyden chamber system provides a more natural, curved endothelial cell organization.
- This system enables more reliable in vitro assessment of transendothelial transport and bioavailability.
- It facilitates the investigation of synthetic compounds as drug delivery systems under organotypic conditions.
