Low-cost microcontroller platform for studying lymphatic biomechanics in vitro.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Lymphatic vessels experience dynamic forces, but studying lymphatic endothelium mechanical sensitivity in vitro is challenging.
• Existing biomechanical testing devices are often expensive, complex, and inaccessible to researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable, low-cost platform for applying various time-varying mechanical stresses to endothelial cells in vitro.
• To augment existing pump capabilities for precise control of flow rate waveforms and cell strains.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Arduino Uno microcontroller for open-loop control of a digital peristaltic pump via serial commands.
• Developed a custom cell-straining device for applying oscillatory strains with variable amplitudes and frequencies.
• Integrated the microcontroller with commercial pumps to generate diverse flow rate waveforms.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the platform's ability to precisely control mechanical forces, including oscillatory shear stress and strains.
• The system proved to be inexpensive, precise, and user-friendly for in vitro biomechanical assays.
• Successfully supplemented in vitro assays to quantify biomechanical force effects on lymphatic endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

• The Arduino Uno-based platform offers an accessible and effective solution for studying biomechanical forces on lymphatic endothelial cells.
• This low-cost system expands research capabilities in endothelial cell biology and mechanobiology.
• Facilitates a deeper understanding of the mechanical sensitivity of lymphatic endothelium.