Li Yuan, Lu Yao, Chen Qiong, Kang Yuejun, Yu Ling
Central Laboratory of Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40216, China.
Institute for Clean energy & Advanced Materials, Faculty of Materials & Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
Biomed Microdevices. 2017 Sep;19(3):54. doi: 10.1007/s10544-017-0194-z.
Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes; it stems from damage to the microvasculature of the retina and eventually compromises vision. The diagnosis of retinopathy is difficult to make because there are no early symptoms or warning signs. Dysfunction of the retina's microvascular networks is believed to be associated with inflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). To investigate the effect of these cytokines, such as TNF-α, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/glass hydride microfluidic device reflecting the physiological structure of the retina's microvasculature was developed. In this model, the bifurcations and tortuosity of branch vessels were based on photographs of the fundus and an endothelial cell layer (EA.hy926 cells) were reconstructed within the microfluidic network. The adhesion, spreading, and growth of cells was ensured by optimizing the conditions for cell seeding and perfusion. Fluorescent staining was used to visualize the cytoskeleton and measurement of the nitric oxide (NO) level proved that the endothelial EA.hy926 cells had spread in the direction of flow perfusion system, forming artificial vascular networks. The endothelial layer was further challenged by TNF-α perfusion. Cytokine treatment increased the anchoring of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the endothelial layer. The microfluidic device developed in this study provides a low-cost platform reflecting the physiological structures of the retina's microvasculature. It is anticipated that this device will be useful in evaluating the diseased retina as well as in drug screening.
视网膜病变是糖尿病的一种并发症，会影响眼睛；它源于视网膜微血管系统的损伤，最终会损害视力。视网膜病变很难诊断，因为没有早期症状或警示信号。视网膜微血管网络功能障碍被认为与炎性细胞因子和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）有关。为了研究这些细胞因子（如TNF-α）的作用，开发了一种反映视网膜微血管生理结构的聚二甲基硅氧烷（PDMS）/玻璃氢化微流控装置。在这个模型中，分支血管的分叉和弯曲是基于眼底照片构建的，并且在微流控网络内重建了一个内皮细胞层（EA.hy926细胞）。通过优化细胞接种和灌注条件确保了细胞的黏附、铺展和生长。使用荧光染色来观察细胞骨架，一氧化氮（NO）水平的测量证明内皮EA.hy926细胞已沿流动灌注系统方向铺展，形成了人工血管网络。通过TNF-α灌注进一步挑战内皮细胞层。细胞因子处理增加了外周血单核细胞（PBMCs）在内皮层上的锚定。本研究开发的微流控装置提供了一个反映视网膜微血管生理结构的低成本平台。预计该装置将有助于评估患病视网膜以及进行药物筛选。
