Microfluidic and Organ-on-a-Chip Approaches to Investigate Cellular and Microenvironmental Contributions to Cardiovascular Function and Pathology

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

William J. Polacheck³  Anthony J. Hickey⁴  Elizabeth L. Doherty⁵  Wen Yih Aw⁵ 

[1] Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States;Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, United States;McAllister Heart Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States;RTI International, Durham, NC, United States;University of North Carolina Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States;

关键词: microfluidics;    endothelial cells;    cardiomyocytes;    vascular biology;    rare disease;    microfabrication;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fbioe.2021.624435

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Over the past decade, advances in microfabrication and biomaterials have facilitated the development of microfluidic tissue and organ models to address challenges with conventional animal and cell culture systems. These systems have largely been developed for human disease modeling and preclinical drug development and have been increasingly used to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms, particularly in the cardiovascular system where the characteristic mechanics and architecture are difficult to recapitulate in traditional systems. Here, we review recent microfluidic approaches to model the cardiovascular system and novel insights provided by these systems. Key features of microfluidic approaches include the ability to pattern cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) at cellular length scales and the ability to use patient-derived cells. We focus the review on approaches that have leveraged these features to explore the relationship between genetic mutations and the microenvironment in cardiovascular disease progression. Additionally, we discuss limitations and benefits of the various approaches, and conclude by considering the role further advances in microfabrication technology and biochemistry techniques play in establishing microfluidic cardiovascular disease models as central tools for understanding biological mechanisms and for developing interventional strategies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown