title: Microfluidic titer plate for stratified 3D cell culture.
abstract: Human tissues and organs are inherently heterogeneous. Their functionality is determined by the interplay between different cell types, their secondary architecture, vascular system and gradients of signaling molecules and metabolites. Here we propose a stratified 3D cell culture platform, in which adjacent lanes of gels and liquids are patterned by phaseguides to capture this tissue heterogeneity. We demonstrate 3D cell culture of HepG2 hepatocytes under continuous perfusion, a rifampicin toxicity assay and co-culture with fibroblasts. 4T1 breast cancer cells are used to demonstrate invasion and aggregation models. The platform is incorporated in a microtiter plate format that renders it fully compatible with automation and high-content screening equipment. The extended functionality, ease of handling and full compatibility to standard equipment is an important step towards adoption of Organ-on-a-Chip technology for screening in an industrial setting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands. trietsch@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl
authors.forename: Sebastiaan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Trietsch
authors.forename: Guido D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Israëls
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joore
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hankemeier
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vulto
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012293:Rifampin / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D012293:Rifampin