title: A microchip-based endothelium mimic utilizing open reservoirs for cell immobilization and integrated carbon ink microelectrodes for detection.
abstract: This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of a microfluidic device that utilizes a reservoir-based approach for endothelial cell immobilization and integrated embedded carbon ink microelectrodes for the amperometric detection of extracellular nitric oxide (NO) release. The design utilizes a buffer channel to continuously introduce buffer or a plug of stimulant to the reservoir as well as a separate sampling channel that constantly withdraws buffer from the reservoir and over the microelectrode. A steel pin is used for both the fluidic connection to the sampling channel and to provide a quasi-reference electrode for the carbon ink microelectrode. Characterization of the device was performed using NO standards produced from a NONOate salt. Finally, NO release from a layer of immobilized endothelial cells was monitored and quantified using the system. This system holds promise as a means to electrochemically detect extracellular NO release from endothelial cells in either an array of reservoirs or concurrently with fluorescence-based intracellular NO measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hulvey
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D004563:Electrochemistry; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D007281:Ink; D008839:Microelectrodes; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000166:cytology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002244:Carbon