Bioinspired microfluidic assay for in vitro modeling of leukocyte-endothelium interactions

Anal Chem. 2014 Aug 19;86(16):8344-51. doi: 10.1021/ac5018716. Epub 2014 Aug 5.

Abstract

Current in vitro models of the leukocyte adhesion cascade cannot be used for real-time studies of the entire leukocyte adhesion cascade, including rolling, adhesion, and migration in a single assay. In this study, we have developed and validated a novel bioinspired microfluidic assay (bMFA) and used it to test the hypothesis that blocking of specific steps in the adhesion/migration cascade significantly affects other steps of the cascade. The bMFA consists of an endothelialized microvascular network in communication with a tissue compartment via a 3 μm porous barrier. Human neutrophils in bMFA preferentially adhered to activated human endothelial cells near bifurcations with rolling and adhesion patterns in close agreement with in vivo observations. Treating endothelial cells with monoclonal antibodies to E-selectin or ICAM-1 or treating neutrophils with wortmannin reduced rolling, adhesion, and migration of neutrophils to 60%, 20%, and 18% of their respective control values. Antibody blocking of specific steps in the adhesion/migration cascade (e.g., mAb to E-selectin) significantly downregulated other steps of the cascade (e.g., migration). This novel in vitro assay provides a realistic human cell based model for basic science studies, identification of new treatment targets, selection of pathways to target validation, and rapid screening of candidate agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Communication*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Rolling
  • Leukocytes / cytology*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Neutrophils / cytology

Grants and funding

National Institutes of Health, United States