Multi-cell lines culturing system utilizing microfluidic three-dimensional additive manufactured polymeric scaffolds with controlled pumping Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • In-vitro cellular culture plays a crucial role in preclinical research. Although cost-effective, the prevailing 2D culture approach falls short in simulating realistic cellular interactions when these cells are grown in different but interacting spaces. Organs-on-a-Chip (OoC) devices have been developed to address this limitation, creating controlled microenvironments that mimic in vivo tissue interaction conditions. This research addressed designing and evaluating a microfluidic chip device based on additive manufacturing to analyze fibroblast and monocyte cell interaction grown in a separate culture apparatus. The OoC devices were created using computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing strategies using translucent resin as constructive material. The developed chip consisted of 200 mm2 cell culture areas, a polystyrene window for monitoring, and two inputs and outlets for fluid transfer and sampling. An instrumented micro-pumping system induces fluid motion through the tubing that connects the manufactured microchips. Here, we show communication between fibroblast and monocyte cultures by connecting two chips with micropumps through microscopic and cellular stress markers in selected cell lines. Monocytes showed morphological changes, suggesting macrophage polarization in response to factors derived from fibroblasts transported by the microfluidic system. These results are consistent with the morphological changes observed when both cell lines are cultured in common devices. Furthermore, quantification of a stress indicator in macrophages, the concentration of TNF ¿ ¿, showed that the metabolized medium affected the fibroblasts, which led to obtaining 50 pg/ml compared to 22 pg/ml when fresh medium was considered. This difference demonstrates the effect of the induced interaction between cell lines using the proposed microfluidic device. © 2025

publication date

  • May 1, 2025