Probing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells anchoring on TNF-alpha challenged-vascular endothelia in an in vitro model of the retinal microvascular

Abstract

Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes; it stems from damage to the microvasculature of the retina and eventually compromises vision. The diagnosis of retinopathy is difficult to make because there are no early symptoms or warning signs. Dysfunction of the retina's microvascular networks is believed to be associated with inflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). To investigate the effect of these cytokines, such as TNF-α, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/glass hydride microfluidic device reflecting the physiological structure of the retina's microvasculature was developed. In this model, the bifurcations and tortuosity of branch vessels were based on photographs of the fundus and an endothelial cell layer (EA.hy926 cells) were reconstructed within the microfluidic network. The adhesion, spreading, and growth of cells was ensured by optimizing the conditions for cell seeding and perfusion. Fluorescent staining was used to visualize the cytoskeleton and measurement of the nitric oxide (NO) level proved that the endothelial EA.hy926 cells had spread in the direction of flow perfusion system, forming artificial vascular networks. The endothelial layer was further challenged by TNF-α perfusion. Cytokine treatment increased the anchoring of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the endothelial layer. The microfluidic device developed in this study provides a low-cost platform reflecting the physiological structures of the retina's microvasculature. It is anticipated that this device will be useful in evaluating the diseased retina as well as in drug screening.

Redefining Chinese calligraphy rice paper: an economical and cytocompatible substrate for cell biological assays

“…In addition, the XRD results show a distinct peak with 2q values of 15. 6 and 22.5 (marked with *) that are attributed to cellulose from all rice paper specimens and lens paper, conrming the similar degree of crystallization of cellulose within raw rice paper and lens paper (Fig. 1D).…”

“…[4][5][6] The rst cell-based application of paper wherein a cell-in-gels-in-paper (CiGiP) model was developed by Dr Whitesides in 2009. 7 It was reported that the advantageous characteristic of paper, as a low-cost and abundant material to study 3D models, is that it can be stacked and de-stacked to reveal the inner 3D morphology.…”

The more critical murderer of atherosclerosis than lipid metabolism: chronic stress

“…Simultaneously, the local damaged blood vessels can produce a variety of cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory mediators, such as platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, etc. [ 24 , 25 ]. Under the stimulus of these factors, a massive proliferation of smooth muscle cells causes neointimal hyperplasia and aggravates the pathological outcomes of vascular stenosis, which mainly promotes the pathophysiological process of AS.…”

Microfluidic and Microscale Assays to Examine Regenerative Strategies in the Neuro Retina

“…The results demonstrated that autophagy, i.e., mechanism to remove dysfunctional cell components, was significant for photoreceptor survival under hyperglycemic conditions [260]. It is noted that, while several microsystems have been developed to model diabetic retinopathy, these projects surprisingly neglect Müller glia and focus almost exclusively on endothelial cells [261][262][263]. Future microfluidic systems are needed to develop in vitro models of diabetic retinopathy and blood retinal barriers to advance regenerative treatments for vascular and metabolic eye diseases.…”