Induced cell migration based on a bioactive hydrogel sheet combined with a perfused microfluidic system.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Endothelial cell migration is vital for new blood vessel formation, essential for cell viability in thick tissue constructs.
• Existing methods for promoting cell migration in engineered tissues face limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a perfused microfluidic platform that maintains cell viability and induces endothelial cell migration.
• To investigate the efficacy of immobilized vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradients in promoting cell migration within a novel hydrogel system.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hydrogel sheet from decellularized bovine heart tissue and chitosan (CS/DT ratio = 2).
• Characterization of hydrogel properties: porosity (~75%), mechanical strength (23 kPa), and cell viability (~78%).
• Immobilization of a radial VEGF gradient on the hydrogel sheet and assessment of human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration on a microfluidic platform.

Main Results:

• Hydrogel sheets demonstrated suitable mechanical properties and supported high cell viability.
• Immobilized VEGF significantly enhanced endothelial cell migration throughout the hydrogel sheet compared to soluble VEGF.
• VEGF gradients, both soluble and immobilized, promoted cell migration within the first 100 μm depth.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic platform effectively supports cell viability and enhances endothelial cell migration.
• Immobilized VEGF gradients offer a superior strategy for directing cell migration in tissue engineering.
• This cost-efficient and reproducible platform presents a promising approach for advanced tissue engineering applications.