3D artificial round section micro-vessels to investigate endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions

Sci Rep. 2018 Apr 12;8(1):5898. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24273-7.

Abstract

In the context of xenotransplantation, in ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as in cardiovascular research, the study of the fascinating interplay between endothelial cells (EC) and the plasma cascade systems often requires in vitro models. Blood vessels are hardly reproducible with standard flat-bed culture systems and flow-plate assays are limited in their low surface-to-volume ratio which impedes the study of the anticoagulant properties of the endothelial cells. According to the 3R regulations (reduce, replace and refine animal experimentation) we developed a closed circuit microfluidic in vitro system in which endothelial cells are cultured in 3D round section microchannels and subjected to physiological, pulsatile flow. In this study, a 3D monolayer of porcine aortic EC was perfused with human serum to mimic a xenotransplantation setting. Complement as well as EC activation was assessed in the presence or absence of complement inhibitors showing the versatility of the model for drug testing. Complement activation products as well as E-selectin expression were detected and visualized in situ by high resolution confocal microscopy. Furthermore, porcine pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as soluble complement components in the recirculating fluid phase were detected after human serum perfusion providing a better overview of the artificial vascular environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / immunology
  • Aorta / ultrastructure
  • Cell Culture Techniques*
  • Complement Activation / drug effects
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / pharmacology
  • Complement System Proteins / genetics*
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Dextran Sulfate / pharmacology
  • E-Selectin / genetics
  • E-Selectin / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology*
  • Endothelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Models, Biological
  • Pulsatile Flow
  • Rheology
  • Swine
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Complement Inactivating Agents
  • Cytokines
  • E-Selectin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Dextran Sulfate