Layer-by-layer Collagen Deposition in Microfluidic Devices for Microtissue Stabilization.
Although microfluidics provides exquisite control of the cellular microenvironment, culturing cells within microfluidic devices can be challenging. 3D culture of cells in collagen type I gels helps to stabilize cell morphology and function, which is necessary for creating microfluidic tissue models in microdevices. Translating traditional 3D culture techniques for tissue culture plates to microfluidic devices is often difficult because of the limited channel dimensions. In this method, we describe a technique for modifying native type I collagen to generate polycationic and polyanionic collagen solutions that can be used with layer-by-layer deposition to create ultrathin collagen assemblies on top of cells cultured in microfluidic devices. These thin collagen layers stabilize cell morphology and function, as shown using primary hepatocytes as an example cell, allowing for the long term culture of microtissues in microfluidic devices.
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.
William J
WJ
McCarty
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.
Ljupcho
L
Prodanov
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.
Shyam Sundhar
SS
Bale
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.
Abhinav
A
Bhushan
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston.
Rohit
R
Jindal
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston; ireis@sbi.org.
Martin L
ML
Yarmush
Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston; berkusta@gmail.com.
O Berk
OB
Usta
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats
D024042:Collagen Type I; D005782:Gels