Engineering “endothelialized” microfluidics for investigating vascular and hematologic processes using non-traditional fabrication techniques

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robert G. Mannino, Georgia Institute of Technology; Navaneeth KR Pandian, Texas A&M University; Abhishek Jain, Texas A&M University; Wilbur Lam, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-03-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 Elsevier Inc. CC BY NC ND 4.0
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cobme.2017.11.006
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Opinion in Biomedical
• Volume: 5
• Start Page: 13
• End Page: 20
• Grant/Funding Information: R.G.M and W.A.L conducted the research and wrote the review. N.K and A.J edited the review and provided valuable input and feedback.
• Research Categories: Engineering, Biomedical; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Investigating the complex interplay between blood cells and the endothelium is crucial in understanding the pathophysiology of many diseases. Observation of the in vivo vasculature is difficult due to the complexities of vessel geometry, limited visualization capability, as well as variability and complexity inherent to biologic systems. Therefore, in vitro systems serve as ideal tools to study these cellular interactions. Microfluidic technologies are an ideal tool for recapitulating the vasculature in vivo as they can be used to fabricate fluidic channels on the size scale capillaries using gas permeable, biologically inert, and optically transparent substrates. Microfluidic channels can be vascularized by coating the inner surface of the microchannels with a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells, representing a reductionist, tightly controlled, in vitro model of the microvasculature. In this review, we present advances in the field of “endothelialized” microfluidics, focusing specifically on non-traditional fabrication and endothelialization techniques. We then summarize the various applications of endothelialized microfluidics, and speculate on the future directions of the field, including the exciting applications to personalized medicine.