ATP-responsive mitochondrial probes for monitoring metabolic processes of glioma stem cells in a 3D model.

The metastatic cascade of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is always accompanied by elevated levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as well as the alterntion of energy metabolism to support their differentiation and migration. Here we propose a 3D microfluidic tumor model coupled with an ATP-responsive mitochondrial probe (AMP) for investigation of metabolic processes of glioma stem cells (GSCs). The 3D tumor model has a middle matrix gel microchannel mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is sandwiched between a GSC culture chamber and a stimulation chamber.

Microfluidic Sonication To Assemble Exosome Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Immune Evasion-Mediated Targeting.

Using natural membranes to coat nanoparticles (NPs) provides an efficient means to reduce the immune clearance of NPs and improve their tumor-specific targeting. However, fabrication of these drug-loaded biomimetic NPs, such as exosome membrane (EM)- or cancer cell membrane (CCM)-coated poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs, remains a challenging task owing to the heterogeneous nature of biomembranes and labor-intensive procedures. Herein, we report a microfluidic sonication approach to produce EM-, CCM-, and lipid-coated PLGA NPs encapsulated with imaging agents in a one-step and straightforward manner.