MEMS Technology Group, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Biomed Microdevices. 2010 Feb;12(1):71-9. doi: 10.1007/s10544-009-9361-1.
Functional endothelialized networks constitute a critical building block for vascularized replacement tissues, organ assist devices, and laboratory tools for in vitro discovery and evaluation of new therapeutic compounds. Progress towards realization of these functional artificial vasculatures has been gated by limitations associated with the mechanical and surface chemical properties of commonly used microfluidic substrate materials and by the geometry of the microchannels produced using conventional fabrication techniques. Here we report on a method for constructing microvascular networks from polystyrene substrates commonly used for tissue culture, built with circular cross-sections and smooth transitions at bifurcations. Silicon master molds are constructed using an electroplating process that results in semi-circular channel cross-sections with smoothly varying radii. These master molds are used to emboss polystyrene sheets which are then joined to form closed bifurcated channel networks with circular cross-sections. The mechanical and surface chemical properties of these polystyrene microvascular network structures enable culture of endothelial cells along the inner lumen. Endothelial cell viability was assessed, documenting nearly confluent monolayers within 3D microfabricated channel networks with rounded cross-sections.
功能性内皮化网络是血管化替代组织、器官辅助装置以及体外发现和评估新型治疗化合物的实验室工具的关键构建模块。实现这些功能性人工脉管系统的进展受到常用微流控基板材料的机械和表面化学性质以及使用常规制造技术生产的微通道的几何形状的限制。在这里，我们报告了一种从组织培养中常用的聚苯乙烯基板构建微血管网络的方法，该方法构建的网络具有圆形横截面和分叉处的平滑过渡。硅质主模具是使用电镀工艺构建的，该工艺可形成具有平滑变化半径的半圆形通道横截面。这些主模具用于压印聚苯乙烯片材，然后将其连接形成具有圆形横截面的封闭分叉通道网络。这些聚苯乙烯微血管网络结构的机械和表面化学性质可使内皮细胞在内腔中生长。评估了内皮细胞的活力，记录了在具有圆形横截面的 3D 微制造通道网络中形成近乎完整的单层。
