Platelets extravasate from the circulation into tumor microenvironment, enable metastasis, and confer resistance to chemotherapy in several cancers. Therefore, arresting tumor-platelet cross-talk with effective and atoxic antiplatelet agents in combination with anticancer drugs may serve as an effective cancer treatment strategy. To test this concept, we create an ovarian tumor microenvironment chip (OTME-Chip) that consists of a platelet-perfused tumor microenvironment and which recapitulates platelet extravasation and its consequences. By including gene-edited tumors and RNA sequencing, this organ-on-chip revealed that platelets and tumors interact through glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and tumor galectin-3 under shear. Last, as proof of principle of a clinical trial, we showed that a GPVI inhibitor, Revacept, impairs metastatic potential and improves chemotherapy. Since GPVI is an antithrombotic target that does not impair hemostasis, it represents a safe cancer therapeutic. We propose that OTME-Chip could be deployed to study other vascular and hematological targets in cancer.

A microphysiological system of a lymphatic vessel is presented recapitulating crosstalk of lymphatic endothelial and muscle cells co-cultured cylindrically using a unique gravitational lumen patterning technique.

The objective of this study is to design a novel and efficient portable lab-on-a-CD (LOCD) microfluidic device for separation of specific cells (target cells) using magnetic beads. In this study the results are shown for neutrophils as target cells. However, other kinds of target cells can be separated in a similar approach. The designed microfluidics can be utilized as a point of care system for neutrophil detection. This microfluidic system employs centrifugal and magnetic forces for separation. After model validation by the experimental data in the literature (that may be used as a design tool for developing centrifugo-magnetophoretic devices), two models are presented for separation of target cells using magnetic beads. The first model consists of one container in the inlet section and two containers in the outlets. Initially, the inlet container is filled with diluted blood sample which is a mixture of red blood cells (RBCs) plus neutrophils which are attached to Magnetic beads. It is shown that by using centrifugal and magnetic forces, this model can separate all neutrophils with recovery factor of ~100%. In the second model, due to excess of magnetic beads in usual experimental analysis (to ensure that all target cells are attached to them) the geometry is improved by adding a third outlet for these free magnetic beads. It is shown that at angular velocity of 45 rad s −1 , recovery factor of 100% is achievable for RBCs, free magnetic beads and neutrophils as target cells.

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Commercially pure nickel-titanium powders were mechanically milled in a vertical attritor mill under protective atmosphere for various times from 10 to 24 hr. Products were then compacted and sintered at different temperatures for different times. Amorphization and interatomic phase formation were determined by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Porosity, virtual density, transition temperatures and the amount of Ni 3 Ti first increased and then decreased with the milling time. Presence of oxygen in the milling atmosphere showed partial crystallization of NiTi intermetallic compound accompanied with titanium oxide formation.

The lymphatic vascular function is regulated by pulsatile shear stresses through signaling mediated by intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i. Further, the intracellular calcium dynamics mediates signaling between lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and...

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The lymphatic vascular system is crucial for optimizing body fluid level, regulating immune function, and transporting lipid. Relative to the experimental models to investigate blood vasculature, there are significantly fewer tools to explore lymphatics. Although in vivo studies have contributed to major discoveries in the field, finding and characterizing lymphatic specific markers has opened the door to isolating lymphatic vessels and cells for building ex vivo and in vitro platforms. These preparations have enabled the study and analysis of lymphatic vasculature in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions leading to a better understanding of cellular expressions and signaling. In this review, a broad range of ex vivo and in vitro engineered models are highlighted and categorized based on the major lymphatic function they model including contractile function, inflammation, drainage and immune regulation, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor‐lymphatic interactions. Then, the novel 3D engineered tissues are introduced consisting of acellularized scaffolds and hydrogels to form vessels and cellular structures close to in vivo morphology. This paper also compares traditional in vitro methods with recent technologies and elaborates on the inherent advantages and limitations of each preparation by critically discussing simplest to most complex tissue‐cellular structures. It concludes with an outlook of the lymphatic vasculature models and the possible future direction of contemporary tools, such as organ‐on‐chips.