Luminal flow actuation generates coupled shear and strain in a microvessel-on-chip.

In the microvasculature, blood flow-derived forces are key regulators of vascular structure and function. Consequently, the development of hydrogel-based microvessel-on-chip systems that strive to mimic thecellular organization and mechanical environment has received great attention in recent years. However, despite intensive efforts, current microvessel-on-chip systems suffer from several limitations, most notably failure to produce physiologically relevant wall strain levels.

Mueller polarimetric imaging for fast macroscopic mapping of microscopic collagen matrix remodeling by smooth muscle cells.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are critical players in cardiovascular disease development and undergo complex phenotype switching during disease progression. However, SMC phenotype is difficult to assess and track in co-culture studies. To determine the contractility of SMCs embedded within collagen hydrogels, we performed polarized light imaging and subsequent analysis based on Mueller matrices.