Blood vessel-on-a-chip examines the biomechanics of microvasculature

We use a three-dimensional (3D) microvascular platform to measure the elasticity and membrane permeability of the endothelial cell layer. The microfluidic platform is connected with a pneumatic pressure controller to apply hydrostatic pressure. The deformation is measured by tracking the mean vessel diameter under varying pressures up to 300 Pa. We obtain a value for the Young's modulus of the cell layer in low strain where a linear elastic response is observed and use a hyperelastic model that describes the strain hardening observed at larger strains (pressure). A fluorescent dye is used to track the flow through the cell layer to determine the membrane flow resistance as a function of applied pressure. Finally, we track the 3D positions of cell nuclei while the vessel is pressurized to observe local deformation and correlate inter-cell deformation with the local structure of the cell layer. This approach is able to probe the mechanical properties of blood vessels in vitro and provides a methodology for investigating microvascular related diseases.

Automated summary

The study utilizes a three-dimensional microvascular platform to measure the elasticity and membrane permeability of endothelial cell layer. By applying pressure through a pneumatic pressure controller, deformation is measured to obtain Young's modulus of the cell layer. This approach is capable of probing the mechanical properties of blood vessels in vitro and serves as a methodology for investigating microvascular related diseases.