title: A microfluidic-based multi-shear device for investigating the effects of low fluid-induced stresses on osteoblasts.
abstract: Interstitial fluid flow (IFF) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) produces low magnitude shear stresses on cells. Fluid flow-induced stress (FSS) plays an important role during tissue morphogenesis. To investigate the effect of low FSS generated by IFF on cells, we developed a microfluidic-based cell culture device that can generate multiple low shear stresses. By changing the length and width of the flow-in channels, different continuous low level shear stresses could be generated in individual cell culture chambers. Numerical calculations demonstrate uniform shear stress distributions of the major cell culture area of each chamber. This calculation is further confirmed by the wall shear stress curves. The effects of low FSS on MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation were studied using this device. It was found that FSS ranging from 1.5 to 52.6 µPa promoted MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation, but FSS over 412 µPa inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. FSS ranging from 1.5 to 52.6 µPa also increased the expression of Runx2, a key transcription factor regulating osteoblast differentiation. It is suggested that Runx2 might be an important regulator in low FSS-induced MC3T3-E1 differentiation. This device allows for detailed study of the effect of low FSS on the behaviors of cells; thus, it would be a useful tool for analysis of the effects of IFF-induced shear stresses on cells.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China ; Section of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Weiliang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics (LNM), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics (LNM), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Haijie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Tingjiao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical