Angiogenic Sprouting Dynamics Mediated by Endothelial‐Fibroblast Interactions in Microfluidic Systems. Issue 11 (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walji, Noosheen; Kheiri, Sina; Young, Edmond W. K.
• Is Part Of: Advanced biology. Volume 5:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: angiogenesis -- angiogenic sprouting -- fibroblasts -- microfluidics -- organ‐on‐a‐chip -- tumor microenvironment; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2701-0198

Abstract

Abstract: Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, is a key process in normal development and pathophysiology. In vitro models are necessary for investigating mechanisms of angiogenesis and developing antiangiogenic therapies. Microfluidic cell culture models of angiogenesis are favored for their ability to recapitulate 3D tissue structures and control spatiotemporal aspects of the microenvironments. To capture the angiogenesis process, microfluidic models often include endothelial cells and a fibroblast component. However, the influence of fibroblast organization on resulting angiogenic behavior remains unclear. Here a comparative study of angiogenic sprouting on a microfluidic chip induced by fibroblasts in 2D monolayer, 3D dispersed, and 3D spheroid culture formats, is conducted. Vessel morphology and sprout distribution for each configuration are measured, and these observations are correlated with measurements of secreted factors and numerical simulations of diffusion gradients. The results demonstrate that angiogenic sprouting varies in response to fibroblast organization with correlating variations in secretory profile and secreted factor gradients across the microfluidic device. This study is anticipated to shed light on how sprouting dynamics are mediated by fibroblast configuration such that the microfluidic cell culture design process includes the selection of a fibroblast component where the effects are known and leveraged. Abstract : A comparative study to examine the influence of fibroblast organization on angiogenic sprouting in microfluidic systems is performed. Endothelial cells are cocultured with fibroblasts in a 2D monolayer, 3D dispersed, or 3D spheroid configuration. The angiogenic response is characterized by sprout distribution, morphology, secretory profile, and diffusion gradients. Results show angiogenic sprouting varies by fibroblast organization with correlating variations in secretory profile.