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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
In Vitro Microfluidic Disease Model to Study Whole Blood-Endothelial Interactions and Blood Clot Dynamics in Real-Time
Published on: May 24, 2020
Microfluidic-based in vitro thrombosis model for studying microplastics toxicity
Longfei Chen1,2, Yajing Zheng3, Yantong Liu1,2
1Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics & Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China. yangyiys@whu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The potential impact of microplastics (MPs) on health has caused great concern, and a toxicology platform that realistically reproduces the system behaviour is urgently needed to further explore and validate MP-related health issues. Herein, we introduce an optically assisted thrombus platform to reveal the interaction of MPs with the vascular system. The risk of accumulation has also been evaluated using a mouse model, and the effect of MPs on the properties of the thrombus are validated via in vitro experiments. The microfluidic system is endothelialized, and the regional tissue injury-induced thrombosis is then realized through optical irradiation. Whole blood is perfused with MPs, and the invasion process visualized and recorded. The mouse model shows a cumulative risk in the blood with continuous exposure to MPs (P-value < 0.0001). The on-chip results show that MP invasion leads to decreased binding of fibrin to platelets (P-value < 0.0001), which is consistent with the results of the in vitro experiments, and shows a high risk of thrombus shedding in real blood flow compared with normal thrombus. This work provides a new method to further reveal MP-related health risks.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) pose health risks. A new optically assisted thrombus platform reveals how MPs interact with blood vessels, showing increased clot shedding risk and accumulation in mice.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) health impacts are a growing concern.
- A realistic toxicology platform is needed to study MP-related vascular issues.
- Existing methods lack the ability to dynamically assess MP interactions within the vascular system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an optically assisted thrombus platform for studying microplastic interactions with the vascular system.
- To evaluate the accumulation risk of microplastics in a mouse model.
- To investigate the effects of microplastics on thrombus formation and stability.
Main Methods:
- An endothelialized microfluidic chip was used to induce and visualize thrombosis via optical irradiation.
- Whole blood containing microplastics was perfused through the chip to observe MP invasion.
- A mouse model was employed to assess microplastic accumulation in vivo.
- In vitro experiments validated the effects of microplastics on thrombus properties.
Main Results:
- A mouse model demonstrated cumulative microplastic risk in blood with continuous exposure (P < 0.0001).
- On-chip experiments revealed that microplastic invasion significantly decreased fibrin-platelet binding (P < 0.0001).
- Microplastic exposure increased the risk of thrombus shedding in real blood flow compared to normal thrombi.
Conclusions:
- The optically assisted thrombus platform provides a novel method for investigating microplastic-vascular interactions.
- Microplastics can accumulate in the bloodstream and compromise thrombus stability.
- This research highlights potential health risks associated with microplastic exposure and offers a tool for further toxicological studies.
