Engineering of functional, perfusable 3D microvascular networks on a chip

Abstract

Generating perfusable 3D microvessels in vitro is an important goal for tissue engineering, as well as for reliable modelling of blood vessel function. To date, in vitro blood vessel models have not been able to accurately reproduce the dynamics and responses of endothelial cells to grow perfusable and functional 3D vascular networks. Here we describe a microfluidic-based platform whereby we model natural cellular programs found during normal development and angiogenesis to form perfusable networks of intact 3D microvessels as well as tumor vasculatures based on the spatially controlled co-culture of endothelial cells with stromal fibroblasts, pericytes or cancer cells. The microvessels possess the characteristic morphological and biochemical markers of in vivo blood vessels, and exhibit strong barrier function and long-term stability. An open, unobstructed microvasculature allows the delivery of nutrients, chemical compounds, biomolecules and cell suspensions, as well as flow-induced mechanical stimuli into the luminal space of the endothelium, and exhibits faithful responses to physiological shear stress as demonstrated by cytoskeleton rearrangement and increased nitric oxide synthesis. This simple and versatile platform provides a wide range of applications in vascular physiology studies as well as in developing vascularized organ-on-a-chip and human disease models for pharmaceutical screening.

Biomimetic Model of Tumor Microenvironment on Microfluidic Platform

“…[14][15][16] We used a micro fluidic platform from our previous studies. [17,18] Various effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the stroma on the physiology of tumor cells and angiogenesis were tested. Finally, we could mimic simultaneous angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the TME with interactions between the tumor cells.…”

“…To examine cancer stromal cell interaction with a 3D ECM, we used a micro fluidic 3D cell culture platform previously reported from our group. [17,18] The array of microposts in the platform enabled straightforward micropatterning of the hydrogel which allowed flexible experimental configurations. We first cocultured cancer and stromal cells within fibrin gel in different microchannels, which still allowed the cells to interact with each other in a par acrine manner ( Figure 1B).…”

3D Miniaturization of Human Organs for Drug Discovery

“…Reproduced with permission. [64] Copyright 2013, Royal Society of Chemistry. C) Flow-mediated formation of thick VWF fibers and meshes in grid vessels.…”

“…[53] In these multicellular aggregates, the need for supporting gels or matrices is eliminated, the adverse effects 3D culture approach for generating a laminated cerebral cortex like structure from pluripotent stem cells. [57,58] Microfabrication Neuroprogenitor cells Microfluidic culture platform containing a relief pattern of soma and axonal compartments connected by microgrooves to direct, isolate, lesion, and biochemically analyze CNS axons [67,68] 3D bioprinting Primary human cortical neurons Discrete layers of primary neutrons in a RGD peptide-modified gellan gum [118][119][120] Intestine (Gut) Self-assembled Stem cells Identified intestinal stem cells and differentiated cells in vitro [59,60] Microfabrication Human epithelial cells Mimic contractility by using mechanochemical actuator [11,19,27,72] Liver Self-assembled Human stem cells 3D culture of self-renewing human liver tissue [61,62] Microfabrication Hepatocytes and fibroblasts Microengineered hepatic microtissues containing hepatocytes and fibroblasts [73][74][75][76][77] 3D bioprinting HepG2 and HUVEC Multilayered organ tissue model [96,[155][156][157] Vessel Microfabrication Rat brain endothelial cells 3D culture in microfluidic device [63][64][65][66] 3D bioprinting HUVECs and HUVSMCs Scaffold-less vessel formation using spheroid fusion [84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]…”

“…Kim et al also developed a novel microfluidic platform and robust approach to form microvascular networks and establish perfusable lumens in 3D ECM constructs ( Figure 6B). [64] The chip contains a central channel flanked by two fluidic channels and two outside stromal cell culture channels. To mimic the vasculogenic process, they filled the central channel with a fibrin gel and EC mixture with fibroblasts co-cultured on the two outside channels.…”