Mechanical interaction between a hydrogel and an embedded cell in biomicrofluidic applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Cellular Mechanics
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Hydrogels are crucial scaffolds in microfluidic assays and organ-on-chip devices due to their biocompatibility and porosity.
• They facilitate nutrient and oxygen transport, and mechanical signaling to embedded cells, vital for organoid development.
• Understanding force transmission from fluid flow to cells within hydrogels is critical for bioengineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a poroelastic model for simulating fluid flow and cell deformation within hydrogels.
• To investigate the impact of interstitial flow and mechanical stress on cells in microfluidic environments.
• To provide a computational tool for optimizing hydrogel-based cell culture systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of a poroelastic model incorporating a hyperelastic cell inclusion.
• Finite-element simulations of shear and normal flow conditions in microfluidic geometries.
• Analysis of fluid velocity, cell displacement, and stress transmission within the hydrogel.

Main Results:

• The model predicts interstitial flow and cell deformation driven by fluid perfusion.
• Hydrostatic pressure was identified as the primary stress component influencing cell movement and deformation.
• Simulated velocities and stresses align with experimental in vitro and in vivo data.

Conclusions:

• The developed poroelastic model accurately represents cell behavior in perfused hydrogels.
• This computational tool can guide the design of microfluidic devices for optimal cell culture conditions.
• Optimizing flow and stress fields is essential for enhancing cell function and development in engineered tissues.