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Fluoropolymer Functionalization of Organ-on-Chip Platform Increases Detection Sensitivity for Cannabinoids
Ziqiu Tong1, Lars Esser2, Peter Galettis3,4
1Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Biosensors
|August 25, 2023
Summary
Researchers improved organ-on-chip (OOC) systems by coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels with Teflon™ AF 2400. This modification significantly reduced the absorption of hydrophobic molecules like cannabidiol (CBD), enhancing analytical accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microfluidics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a common material for organ-on-chip (OOC) systems due to its biocompatibility and ease of fabrication.
- However, PDMS absorbs hydrophobic molecules, hindering accurate quantitative analysis in OOC applications.
- This limitation impacts the study of compounds like cannabinoids, which are hydrophobic and have therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of a fluoropolymer, Teflon™ AF 2400, to functionalize PDMS microchannels in OOC systems.
- To reduce the absorption of hydrophobic molecules, specifically cannabidiol (CBD), within microfluidic devices.
- To enhance the quantitative analytical capabilities of OOC systems for hydrophobic compounds.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification of PDMS microchannels with Teflon™ AF 2400.
- Quantitative analysis of cannabidiol (CBD) absorption using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Comparison of CBD absorption in modified versus unmodified PDMS microchannels under static and perfusion conditions.
- Assessment of fluoropolymer-modified microchannels' compatibility with endothelial cell culture (hCMEC/D3).
Main Results:
- Fluoropolymer surface modification significantly reduced CBD absorption in PDMS microchannels.
- A 30-fold increase in CBD signal was observed in static incubation experiments with modified channels compared to unmodified ones.
- Under perfusion, modified microchannels showed a nearly 15-fold increase in CBD signals.
- The modified microchannels demonstrated compatibility with hCMEC/D3 endothelial cells and CBD perfusion experiments.
Conclusions:
- Teflon™ AF 2400 functionalization is an effective strategy to mitigate hydrophobic molecule absorption in PDMS-based OOC systems.
- This surface modification substantially improves the quantitative analysis of compounds like CBD in microfluidic devices.
- The enhanced OOC systems show promise for studying the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of hydrophobic drugs.
