title: Procedure for the development of multi-depth circular cross-sectional endothelialized microchannels-on-a-chip.
abstract: Efforts have been focused on developing in vitro assays for the study of microvessels because in vivo animal studies are more time-consuming, expensive, and observation and quantification are very challenging. However, conventional in vitro microvessel assays have limitations when representing in vivo microvessels with respect to three-dimensional (3D) geometry and providing continuous fluid flow. Using a combination of photolithographic reflowable photoresist technique, soft lithography, and microfluidics, we have developed a multi-depth circular cross-sectional endothelialized microchannels-on-a-chip, which mimics the 3D geometry of in vivo microvessels and runs under controlled continuous perfusion flow. A positive reflowable photoresist was used to fabricate a master mold with a semicircular cross-sectional microchannel network. By the alignment and bonding of the two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels replicated from the master mold, a cylindrical microchannel network was created. The diameters of the microchannels can be well controlled. In addition, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) seeded inside the chip showed that the cells lined the inner surface of the microchannels under controlled perfusion lasting for a time period between 4 days to 2 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Samantha Marie
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mearns
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martins-Green
authors.forename: Yuxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D055806:Microvessels / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes