Microfluidic vascular formation model for assessing angiogenic capacities of single islets.

Pancreatic islet transplantation presents a promising therapy for individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes. To maintain the function of transplanted islets in vivo, it is imperative to induce angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis triggered by islets remain unclear.

Electrochemical sensing of oxygen metabolism for a three-dimensional cultured model with biomimetic vascular flow.

Microphysiological systems (MPSs) with three-dimensional (3D) cultured models have attracted considerable interest because of their potential to mimic human health and disease conditions. Recent MPSs have shown significant advancements in engineering perfusable vascular networks integrated with 3D culture models, realizing a more physiological environment in vitro; however, a sensing system that can monitor their activity under biomimetic vascular flow is lacking. We designed an open-top microfluidic device with sensor capabilities and demonstrated its application in analyzing oxygen metabolism in vascularized 3D tissue models.

Micropipet-Based Navigation in a Microvascular Model for Imaging Endothelial Cell Topography Using Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy.

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) has enabled cell surface topography at a high resolution with low invasiveness. However, SICM has not been applied to the observation of cell surfaces in hydrogels, which can serve as scaffolds for three-dimensional cell culture. In this study, we applied SICM for imaging a cell surface in a microvascular lumen reconstructed in a hydrogel.

Oxygen consumption rate of tumour spheroids during necrotic-like core formation.

Hypoxia is one of the major hallmarks of solid tumours and is associated with the poor prognosis of various cancers. A multicellular aggregate, termed a spheroid, has been used as a tumour model with a necrotic-like core for more than 45 years. Oxygen metabolism in spheroids has been studied using phosphorescence quenching and oxygen-sensitive electrodes.