Studying the Response of Aortic Endothelial Cells under Pulsatile Flow Using a Compact Microfluidic System.

Mokhaled Mohammed; Peter Thurgood; Christopher Gilliam; Ngan Nguyen; Elena Pirogova; Karlheinz Peter; Khashayar Khoshmanesh; Sara Baratchi
Abstract
We describe a piezoelectric pumping system for studying the mechanobiology of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) under pulsatile flow in microfluidic structures. The system takes advantage of commercially available components, including pumps, flow sensors, and microfluidic channels, which can be easily integrated, programmed, and operated by cellular biologists. Proof-of-concept experiments were performed to elucidate the complex mechanotransduction processes of endothelial cells to pulsatile flow. In particular, we investigated the effect of atheroprone and atheroprotective pulsatile shear stress on endothelial cytoskeleton remodeling and distribution of β-catenin, as well as nuclear shape and size. The system is simple to operate, relatively inexpensive, portable, and controllable, providing opportunities for studying the mechanobiology of endothelial cells using microfluidic technologies.
Journal ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ISSN 1520-6882
Published 17 Sep 2019
Volume 91
Issue 18
Pages 12077-12084
DOI 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03247
Type Journal Article
Sponsorship NHMRC: 1185314