Lymphatic Vessel on a Chip with Capability for Exposure to Cyclic Fluidic Flow

Published

September 7, 2020

Author(s)

Parinaz Fathi, Glenn E. Holland, Dipanjan Pan, Mandy B. Esch

Abstract

Lymph nodes comprise a complex organ system that is essential in regulating the development of host immune responses. Due to the complexity of lymph nodes and the lack of animal models that can accurately replicate the lymphatic functionality of humans, there is a need for a human- based lymph node model that can provide a better understanding of the effects of flow parameters, therapeutics, and other stimuli on the lymphatic system and its immune responses. Despite this, there are few reports of fluidic devices that model the lymph node. Additionally, many microfluidic devices rely on the use of expensive pumps which can reduce the likelihood of widespread and efficient use of these devices. Here we present a pumpless fluidic device which has been successfully utilized for the culture of primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs). The design achieved unidirectional high-shear flow using only gravity as a driving force. Primary HLECs were cultured in the devices with fluid flow for a period of 10 days, and were imaged with optical microscopy. Cell viability, count, dimensions, and alignment were determined with live-dead fluorescence staining. Medium samples were collected daily and were used to track the interleukin 8 (IL8), and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) expression of HLECs. These findings demonstrate the ability of high-shear flows to be achieved in a fluidic device using only gravity-driven flow, and the utility of such a device in moving towards a fluidic model of lymph nodes.

Citation

ACS Applied Bio Materials

Volume

3

Issue

10

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c00609

Local Download

Keywords

lymph node, organ-on-a-chip

Citation

Fathi, P. , Holland, G. , Pan, D. and Esch, M. (2020), Lymphatic Vessel on a Chip with Capability for Exposure to Cyclic Fluidic Flow, ACS Applied Bio Materials, [online], https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c00609 (Accessed April 25, 2024)