Environmentally Controlled Microfluidic System Enabling Immune Cell Flow and Activation in an Endothelialised...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Static culturing limits organ-on-chip (OoC) models.
• Microfluidic devices face usability and scalability challenges.
• Reconstructed human skin (RhS) offers a 3D model but requires dynamic culturing.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a reusable multi-well microfluidic adaptor (MMA) for complex 3D biological models.
• Enable user control over environmental parameters (temperature, flow, gases) without an incubator.
• Create a flexible tool for implementing skin-on-chip (SoC) models.

Main Methods:

• Designed a novel reusable MMA compatible with standard 6-well multi-well plates (6MWPs).
• Integrated the MMA-6MWP setup to create a skin-on-chip (SoC) model using RhS.
• Evaluated RhS viability, morphology, and immune cell activation under dynamic flow conditions.

Main Results:

• Maintained RhS viability and native-like morphology for three days under flow.
• Demonstrated successful integration of endothelialised RhS with flowing immune cells (MUTZ-3).
• Observed monocyte-like MUTZ-3 cell activation (CD83, CD86 upregulation) upon sensitizer exposure, unlike static cultures.

Conclusions:

• The MMA-6MWP system provides a robust and flexible platform for dynamic SoC models.
• This system enhances the predictive power of skin models for toxicology applications.
• The MMA facilitates advanced 3D biological model implementation, overcoming limitations of static culturing.