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Barrier-free, open-top microfluidic chip for generating two distinct, interconnected 3D microvascular networks.
Alma Yrjänäinen1,2, Elina Mesiä3, Ella Lampela4,5
1Adult Stem Cell Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland. alma.yrjanainen@tuni.fi.
Scientific Reports
|October 2, 2024
Summary
This study introduces an open-top microfluidic chip for sequential three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. The novel design enhances vascular morphogenesis and enables 3D-3D co-cultures for studying tissue interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Traditional monolayer cell cultures are limited compared to three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments.
- Existing microphysiological platforms often feature closed designs, restricting post-loading access for nurture, gas exchange, and cellular communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an accessible, open-top microfluidic chip for sequential loading of two distinct 3D cell cultures.
- To investigate the formation and characteristics of 3D vascular networks under varying flow conditions within the chip.
- To assess the potential for studying cellular interactions in vascularized tissues using 3D-3D co-cultures.
Main Methods:
- Development of an open-top microfluidic chip enabling sequential loading of two 3D cell cultures without physical barriers.
- Proof-of-concept demonstration of two 3D vasculature formations in upper and lower compartments under three distinct flow conditions.
- Utilized computational modeling for flow pressure characterization and advanced image processing for quantitative analysis of vascular networks.
Main Results:
- Successful formation of two distinct 3D vasculatures in upper and lower compartments with interconnecting, lumenized vessels.
- Vascular morphogenesis was enhanced in terms of overall network length under asymmetric side-to-center and symmetric center-to-side flow conditions.
- The chip demonstrated the ability to house two distinct 3D cell cultures with merging vessels between compartments.
Conclusions:
- The developed open-top microfluidic chip facilitates sequential 3D cell culture and promotes enhanced vascular morphogenesis.
- This platform supports 3D-3D co-cultures with merging vessels, offering new possibilities for studying cellular interactions in vascularized tissues.
- The chip's accessibility and design are advantageous for research in tissue engineering and organ-on-a-chip applications.
