title: Combination of fluid and solid mechanical stresses contribute to cell death and detachment in a microfluidic alveolar model.
abstract: Studies using this micro-system demonstrated significant morphological differences between alveolar epithelial cells (transformed human alveolar epithelial cell line, A549 and primary murine alveolar epithelial cells, AECs) exposed to combination of solid mechanical and surface-tension stresses (cyclic propagation of air-liquid interface and wall stretch) compared to cell populations exposed solely to cyclic stretch. We have also measured significant differences in both cell death and cell detachment rates in cell monolayers experiencing combination of stresses. This research describes new tools for studying the combined effects of fluid mechanical and solid mechanical stress on alveolar cells. It also highlights the role that surface tension forces may play in the development of clinical pathology, especially under conditions of surfactant dysfunction. The results support the need for further research and improved understanding on techniques to reduce and eliminate fluid stresses in clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Douville
authors.forename: Parsa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zamankhan
authors.forename: Yi-Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Cheng-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Grotberg
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takayama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013500:Surface Tension