Acoustofluidic Engineering of Functional Vessel-on-a-Chip

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Acoustofluidics

Background:

• In vitro vascular models are crucial for pharmacokinetics and hemodynamics research.
• Tissue engineering aims to create functional vascular networks for various applications.
• Current methods face challenges in precise control over vessel geometry and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel acoustofluidic method for constructing patterned in vitro vascular models.
• To engineer functional vascular networks with specific geometries on-chip.
• To characterize the function of the engineered vascular networks and model solute transport.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a standing surface acoustic wave field to pattern suspended endothelial cells within a hydrogel.
• Applied interstitial flow to induce vessel tube formation.
• Assessed vascular function using microbead loading (perfusability) and dextran diffusion (barrier function).
• Employed computational atomistic simulations to model solute transport across the vascular membrane.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated on-chip vascular networks with defined geometry and high resolution using acoustofluidics.
• Demonstrated the maintenance of cell patterns after acoustic field removal within the hydrogel.
• Validated vascular function, including perfusability and barrier properties.
• Provided a computational model for understanding solute transport mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• The acoustofluidic methodology offers a facile and reproducible approach for engineering functional vascular networks.
• This technique holds significant promise for advancing fundamental research in vascular biology.
• The engineered vascular models are suitable for applications in regenerative therapy and drug development.