Vascular endothelial cell mechanosensing: New insights gained from biomimetic microfluidic models. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gray, Kelsey M.; Stroka, Kimberly M.
• Is Part Of: Seminars in cell & developmental biology. Volume 71(2017)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: EC endothelial cell -- ECM extracellular matrix -- MFD microfluidic device -- PECAM-1 platelet EC adhesion molecule-1 -- VE-cadherin vascular endothelial-cadherin -- VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor -- HUVEC human umbilical vein endothelial cell -- HBMEC human brain microvascular endothelial cell -- ZO-1 zonula occluden-1 -- BBB blood-brain barrier -- ATP adenosine triphosphate -- BAEC bovine aortic endothelial cell -- TRPV4 transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 -- ICAM-1 intercellular adhesion molecule-1 -- VCAM-1 vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 -- TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-α -- HLSS high laminar shear stress -- KLF2 Kruppel-like factor 2 -- NO nitric oxide -- Cx37 connexin37 -- AQP1 aquaporin-1 -- DM diabetes mellitus -- IF interstitial flow -- HMEC human microvascular endothelial cell -- HA hyaluronan -- BM basement membrane -- COL1 collagen type 1 -- vWF von Willebrand Factor -- MCP1 Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 -- IL interleukin -- PSN polystyrene nanoparticle; Endothelium -- Mechanosensing -- Mechanotransduction -- Microfluidics -- Shear stress -- Matrix stiffness; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.06.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1084-9521

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: In vivo, cells of the vascular system are subjected to various mechanical stimuli and have demonstrated the ability to adapt their behavior via mechanotransduction. Recent advances in microfluidic and "on-chip" techniques have provided the technology to study these alterations in cell behavior. Contrary to traditional in vitro assays such as transwell plates and parallel plate flow chambers, these microfluidic devices (MFDs) provide the opportunity to integrate multiple mechanical cues (e.g. shear stress, confinement, substrate stiffness, vessel geometry and topography) with in situ quantification capabilities. As such, MFDs can be used to recapitulate the in vivo mechanical setting and systematically vary microenvironmental conditions for improved mechanobiological studies of the endothelium. Additionally, adequate modelling provides for enhanced understanding of disease progression, design of cell separation and drug delivery systems, and the development of biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Here, we will discuss the advances in knowledge about endothelial cell mechanosensing resulting from the design and application of biomimetic on-chip and microfluidic platforms.