Microfluidic system for in vitro epithelial folding and calcium waves induction
Marvin Brun-Cosme-Bruny1, Lydia Pernet1, Slawomir Blonski2
1Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University of Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, 38700 La Tronche, France.
STAR Protocols
|September 18, 2022
Summary
This study details a microfluidic platform to trigger epithelial folds, mimicking cell shape changes and mechanical stresses during development. The method uses local deformation to induce calcium waves for studying epithelial morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Epithelial folding is crucial for forming 3D structures from flat cell layers.
- Understanding the mechanical and cellular dynamics of folding is key to developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a protocol for fabricating a microfluidic device to induce and study epithelial folding.
- To enable recapitulation of cell shape changes and mechanical stresses associated with epithelial morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polycarbonate microfluidic chip.
- Cell seeding to form an epithelial monolayer on the chip.
- Induction of calcium waves via local epithelial deformation.
- Quantitative analysis of the epithelial response.
Main Results:
- The microfluidic platform successfully triggers epithelial folds.
- The system recapitulates stereotypical cell shape changes and mechanical stresses.
- Calcium waves are observed in response to induced deformation.
Conclusions:
- This protocol provides a method for studying epithelial folding in a controlled microfluidic environment.
- The platform facilitates the investigation of cellular and mechanical factors governing morphogenesis.
