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Microenvironment-Controlled Micropatterned Microfluidic Model (MMMM) for Biomimetic In Situ Studies.
Yunhua Wang1,2, Ling Lu2, Guoxia Zheng2
1John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States.
ACS Nano
|July 24, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a microfluidic model to study Giardia attachment in the intestine. This model successfully quantified the forces involved in Giardia trophozoite attachment, revealing key mechanisms for survival.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Parasitology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Giardia duodenalis trophozoites infect millions globally, with attachment being crucial for survival and pathogenicity.
- Studying Giardia attachment is challenging due to the difficulty in replicating the intestinal microenvironment.
- Existing methods lack the ability to create the necessary microaerobic conditions for in vitro analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic model simulating the in vivo intestinal microenvironment for Giardia.
- To analyze the forces and mechanisms underlying Giardia trophozoite attachment to intestinal surfaces.
- To quantify the contribution of different forces to Giardia attachment.
Main Methods:
- A microfluidic device was engineered to control osmotic pressure, pH, gas, ionic strength, flow rate, and temperature.
- Micropatterned nonbiological surfaces were designed with staggered arrangements.
- A resistance microfluidic network was integrated to decompose and measure Giardia attachment forces.
Main Results:
- The total attachment force was measured at 49.58 Pa.
- Attachment forces were decomposed into suction (22.66 Pa, 46% ACR), clutching (12.52 Pa, 25% ACR), and electrostatic/van der Waals forces (14.4 Pa, 29% ACR).
- The study introduced the 'attaching contribution rate' (ACR) to quantify the role of each force component.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic model successfully simulates the intestinal microenvironment for studying Giardia attachment.
- The study elucidated the multi-component nature of Giardia attachment forces and their relative contributions.
- This method provides a novel approach to analyze surface attachment mechanisms and their quantitative contributions for Giardia.
