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Updated: May 14, 2026
Perfusable Vascular Network with a Tissue Model in a Microfluidic Device
Published on: April 4, 2018
Protocol for fibrin-based endothelial-cardiomyocyte co-culture in a microfluidic device
Talitha C F Spanjersberg1, Aram Klaassen2, Richard Wubbolts2
1Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (RMCU), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Division Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
This study details a protocol for creating a vascularized heart-on-a-chip model using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. The method enables long-term culture and analysis of cardiac tissue with integrated vasculature.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Organ-on-a-chip technology offers a promising platform for studying human physiology and disease.
- Developing functional vascularized tissues remains a significant challenge in regenerative medicine.
- Cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells are crucial components for replicating cardiac function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a detailed protocol for constructing a vascularized heart-on-a-chip.
- To enable co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells.
- To facilitate long-term culture and quantitative analysis of cardiac tissue.
Main Methods:
- Co-encapsulation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells in fibrin hydrogels supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aprotinin.
- Detailed steps for cell preparation, fibrin formulation, and chip loading.
- Inclusion of optional droplet-based setups for pilot or high-throughput screening and subsequent immunofluorescence staining and imaging.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a vascularized heart-on-a-chip model.
- Demonstration of sustained co-culture for up to three weeks.
- Development of quantitative analysis methods for vascular and contractile features.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocol provides a reproducible method for generating vascularized cardiac microtissues.
- This heart-on-a-chip model can be utilized for studying cardiac function, vascularization, and drug responses.
- The platform supports advanced imaging and quantitative analysis for comprehensive tissue characterization.
