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Three-Dimensional PLGA Nanofiber-Based Microchip for High-Efficiency Cancer Cell Capture.
Mengting Qi1, Meilin Ruan1, Jinjin Liang1
1Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 28, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a 3D network substrate using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers for efficient cancer cell capture. This novel scaffold achieved a 91% capture efficiency for MCF-7 cancer cells, offering potential for rare cell detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Cell Biology
Background:
- Developing efficient methods for capturing rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), is crucial for early cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
- Existing cell capture substrates often face limitations in surface area and cell-substrate contact, impacting capture efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel 3D network capture substrate for high-efficiency cancer cell isolation.
- To evaluate the performance of the 3D substrate in capturing MCF-7 cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of arc-shaped glass micropillars using chemical wet etching and soft lithography.
- Coupling of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers onto micropillars via electrospinning to create a micro-nanometer spatial network.
- Modification of the 3D substrate with anti-EpCAM antibodies for targeted cell capture.
Main Results:
- Successful creation of a 3D micro-nanofiber network substrate.
- Achieved a high capture efficiency of 91% for MCF-7 cancer cells using the antibody-modified substrate.
- Demonstrated superior performance compared to 2D nanofiber or nanoparticle-based substrates due to increased cell-substrate contact probability.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D micro-nanofiber network substrate offers a highly effective platform for cancer cell capture.
- This technology holds significant promise for the detection of rare cells in peripheral blood, including CTCs and circulating fetal nucleated red cells.
