Open Fluidics: A Cell Culture Flow System Developed Over Wettability Contrast‐Based Chips

Abstract

Biological tissues are recurrently exposed to several dynamic mechanical forces that influence cell behavior. On this work, the focus is on the shear stress forces induced by fluid flow. The study of flow-induced effects on cells leads to important advances in cardiovascular, cancer, stem cell, and bone biology understanding. These studies are performed using cell culture flow (CCF) systems, mainly parallel plate flow chambers (PPFC), and microfluidic systems. Here, it is proposed an original CCF system based on the open fluidics concept. The system is developed using a planar superhydrophobic platform with hydrophilic paths. The paths work as channels to drive cell culture medium flows without using walls for liquid confinement. The liquid streams are controlled just based on the wettability contrast. To validate the concept, the effect of the shear stress stimulus in the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells is studied. Combining bone morphogenic protein (specifically BMP-2) stimulation with this mechanical stimulus, a synergistic effect is found on osteoblast differentiation. This effect is confirmed by the enhancement of alkaline phosphatase activity, a well-known early marker of osteogenic differentiation. The suggested CCF system combines characteristics and advantages of both the PPFC and microfluidic systems.

Regulation of cell fate by cell imprinting approach in vitro

“…Initially, the innovation in soft lithography and molding of polymers facilitated the development of inexpensive microfluidic tools including open microfluidic devices, 82 which have further benefits because of the physical properties of these polymers. 83 The most prevalent technology for constructing microfluidic devices for use in cell biology is based on the soft lithography of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).…”

Recent advances on open fluidic systems for biomedical applications: A review

“…On a different study, the focus was the influence of the shear stress forces caused by a fluid flow in contact with cells [121]. The culture medium stream was confined based on the wettability-contrast of a platform composed of hydrophilic paths set on a planar superhydrophobic platform.…”

“…The culture medium stream was confined based on the wettability-contrast of a platform composed of hydrophilic paths set on a planar superhydrophobic platform. Osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells under flow perfusion dynamic conditions combined with biochemical modulation using bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) was studied, and cellular morphology and osteogenic commitment was assessed on-chip using standard microscopy techniques [121].…”

One‐Step Rapid Fabrication of Cell‐Only Living Fibers

“…[32] Although wettable microchannels have been patterned in superhydrophobic moieties, their exploitation has been limited to the generation of precisely shaped hydrogels, [27] or in open microfluidics applications. [33][34][35] Stable and handleable fiber-shaped tissues made of undifferentiated human-adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) were formed after 24 h of incubation in the hanging columns (Figure 1d-h). The use of hanging columns patterned on superhydrophobic surfaces is expected to warrant high stability over time due to strong hydrodynamic resistance to droplet spreading.…”