A microfluidic impedance platform for real-time, in vitro characterization of endothelial cells undergoing fluid shear stress

Lab Chip. 2022 Nov 22;22(23):4705-4716. doi: 10.1039/d2lc00555g.

Abstract

We introduce a microfluidic impedance platform to electrically monitor in real-time, endothelium monolayers undergoing fluid shear stress. Our platform incorporates sensing electrodes (SEs) that measure cell behavior and cell-free control electrodes that measure cell culture media resistance simultaneously but independently from SEs. We evaluated three different cellular subpopulations sizes through 50, 100, and 200 μm diameter SEs. We tested their utility in measuring the response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at static, constant (17.6 dyne per cm2), and stepped (23.7-35-58.1 dyne per cm2) shear stress conditions. For 14 hours, we collected the impedance spectra (100 Hz-1 MHz) of sheared cells. Using equivalent circuit models, we extracted monolayer permeability (RTER), cell membrane capacitance, and cell culture media resistance. Platform evaluation concluded that: (1) 50 μm SEs (∼2 cells) suffered interfacial capacitance and reduced cell measurement sensitivity, (2) 100 μm SEs (∼6 cells) was limited to measuring cell behavior only and cannot measure cell culture media resistance, and (3) 200 μm SEs (∼20 cells) detected cell behavior with accurate prediction of cell culture media resistance. Platform-based shear stress studies indicated a shear magnitude dependent increase in RTER at the onset of acute flow. Consecutive stepped shear conditions did not alter RTER in the same magnitude after shear has been applied. Finally, endpoint staining of VE-cadherin on the actual SEs and endpoint RTER measurements were greater for 23.7-35-58.1 dyne per cm2 than 17.6 dyne per cm2 shear conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electric Impedance
  • Endothelium, Vascular*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Microfluidics*
  • Stress, Mechanical