Recognition and capture of breast cancer cells using an antibody-based platform in a microelectromechanical systems device

Bladder Cancer Cells Interaction with Lectin-Coated Surfaces under Static and Flow Conditions

Aberrant expression of glycans, i.e., oligosaccharide moiety covalently attached to proteins or lipids, is characteristic of various cancers, including urothelial ones. The binding of lectins to glycans is classified as molecular recognition, which makes lectins a strong tool for understanding their role in developing diseases. Here, we present a quantitative approach to tracing glycan-lectin interactions in cells, from the initial to the steady phase of adhesion. The cell adhesion was measured between urothelial cell lines (non-malignant HCV29 and carcinoma HT1376 and T24 cells) and lectin-coated surfaces. Depending on the timescale, single-cell force spectroscopy, and adhesion assays conducted in static and flow conditions were applied. The obtained results reveal that the adhesion of urothelial cells to two specific lectins, i.e., phytohemagglutinin-L and wheat germ agglutinin, was specific and selective. Thus, these lectins can be applied to selectively capture, identify, and differentiate between cancer types in a label-free manner. These results open up the possibility of designing lectin-based biosensors for diagnostic or prognostic purposes and developing strategies for drug delivery that could target cancer-associated glycans.

Combination of antibody-coated, physical-based microfluidic chip with wave-shaped arrays for isolating circulating tumor cells

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are found in the peripheral blood of patients with metastatic cancers, which have critical significance in cancer prognosis and diagnostics. Enumeration is significantly valuable since number of CTCs is strongly correlated to severity of disease. This article is proposed and demonstrated an antibody-coated, size-based microfluidic chip with wave-shaped arrays could efficiently capture CTCs combining two separation methods of both size- and deformability-based and affinity-based segregation. Utilizing immunocapture of capture chemistry of Epithelial Cell Adhension Molecule (EpCAM), tumor cells could be captured by narrow gaps or have a friction with microposts edges to realize both immune-affinity and size capture. This wave-shaped layout of microfluidic chip with varying gaps between adjacent circular microposts can generate perpendicular velocities to the fluidic direction. This oriented fluidic direction will carry cells to next smaller neighboring gap and then be captured gradually. The experiment results indicate capture efficiency is ~90% and viability is ~95% after extracted and cultured 3 days. Furthermore, this chip has been validated for whole blood with cancer cell lines and mimic patient blood. This study demonstrates feasibility using our microfluidic chip for CTCs research, monitoring cancer progress and evaluating therapeutic treatment.

Microfluidic Biopsy Trapping Device for the Real-Time Monitoring of Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment is composed of cellular and stromal components such as tumor cells, mesenchymal cells, immune cells, cancer associated fibroblasts and the supporting extracellular matrix. The tumor microenvironment provides crucial support for growth and progression of tumor cells and affects tumor response to therapeutic interventions. To better understand tumor biology and to develop effective cancer therapeutic agents it is important to develop preclinical platforms that can faithfully recapitulate the tumor microenvironment and the complex interaction between the tumor and its surrounding stromal elements. Drug studies performed in vitro with conventional two-dimensional cancer cell line models do not optimally represent clinical drug response as they lack true tumor heterogeneity and are often performed in static culture conditions lacking stromal tumor components that significantly influence the metabolic activity and proliferation of cells. Recent microfluidic approaches aim to overcome such obstacles with the use of cell lines derived in artificial three-dimensional supportive gels or micro-chambers. However, absence of a true tumor microenvironment and full interstitial flow, leads to less than optimal evaluation of tumor response to drug treatment. Here we report a continuous perfusion microfluidic device coupled with microscopy and image analysis for the assessment of drug effects on intact fresh tumor tissue. We have demonstrated that fine needle aspirate biopsies obtained from patient-derived xenograft models of adenocarcinoma of the lung can successfully be analyzed for their response to ex vivo drug treatment within this biopsy trapping microfluidic device, wherein a protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, was used to assess tumor cell death as a proof of principle. This approach has the potential to study tumor tissue within its intact microenvironment to better understand tumor response to drug treatments and eventually to choose the most effective drug and drug combination for individual patients in a cost effective and timely manner.

Micro- and nanodevices integrated with biomolecular probes

Understanding how biomolecules, proteins and cells interact with their surroundings and other biological entities has become the fundamental design criterion for most biomedical micro- and nanodevices. Advances in biology, medicine, and nanofabrication technologies complement each other and allow us to engineer new tools based on biomolecules utilized as probes. Engineered micro/nanosystems and biomolecules in nature have remarkably robust compatibility in terms of function, size, and physical properties. This article presents the state of the art in micro- and nanoscale devices designed and fabricated with biomolecular probes as their vital constituents. General design and fabrication concepts are presented and three major platform technologies are highlighted: microcantilevers, micro/nanopillars, and microfluidics. Overview of each technology, typical fabrication details, and application areas are presented by emphasizing significant achievements, current challenges, and future opportunities.

Spatially selective release of aptamer-captured cells by temperature mediation

Isolation of cells from heterogeneous biological samples is critical in both basic biological research and clinical diagnostics. Affinity-based methods, such as those that recognise cells by binding antibodies to cell membrane biomarkers, can be used to achieve specific cell isolation. Microfluidic techniques have been employed to achieve more efficient and effective cell isolation. By employing aptamers as surface-immobilised ligands, cells can be easily released and collected after specific capture. However, these methods still have limitations in cell release efficiency and spatial selectivity. This study presents an aptamer-based microfluidic device that not only achieves specific affinity cell capture, but also enables spatially selective temperature-mediated release and retrieval of cells without detectable damage. The specific cell capture is realised by using surface-patterned aptamers in a microchamber on a temperature-control chip. Spatially selective cell release is achieved by utilising a group of microheater and temperature sensor that restricts temperature changes, and therefore the disruption of cell-aptamer interactions, to a design-specified region. Experimental results with CCRF-CEM cells and sgc8c aptamers have demonstrated the specific cell capture and temperature-mediated release of selected groups of cells with negligible disruption to their viability.

Continuous size-based separation of microparticles in a microchannel with symmetric sharp corner structures

A new microchannel with a series of symmetric sharp corner structures is reported for passive size-dependent particle separation. Micro particles of different sizes can be completely separated based on the combination of the inertial lift force and the centrifugal force induced by the sharp corner structures in the microchannel. At appropriate flow rate and Reynolds number, the centrifugal force effect on large particles, induced by the sharp corner structures, is stronger than that on small particles; hence after passing a series of symmetric sharp corner structures, large particles are focused to the center of the microchannel, while small particles are focused at two particle streams near the two side walls of the microchannel. Particles of different sizes can then be completely separated. Particle separation with this device was demonstrated using 7.32 μm and 15.5 μm micro particles. Experiments show that in comparison with the prior multi-orifice flow fractionation microchannel and multistage-multiorifice flow fractionation microchannel, this device can completely separate two-size particles with narrower particle stream band and larger separation distance between particle streams. In addition, it requires no sheath flow and complex multi-stage separation structures, avoiding the dilution of analyte sample and complex operations. The device has potentials to be used for continuous, complete particle separation in a variety of lab-on-a-chip and biomedical applications.

Slanted spiral microfluidics for the ultra-fast, label-free isolation of circulating tumor cells

The enumeration and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), found in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, provide a potentially accessible source for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This work reports on a novel spiral microfluidic device with a trapezoidal cross-section for ultra-fast, label-free enrichment of CTCs from clinically relevant blood volumes. The technique utilizes the inherent Dean vortex flows present in curvilinear microchannels under continuous flow, along with inertial lift forces which focus larger CTCs against the inner wall. Using a trapezoidal cross-section as opposed to a traditional rectangular cross-section, the position of the Dean vortex core can be altered to achieve separation. Smaller hematologic components are trapped in the Dean vortices skewed towards the outer channel walls and eventually removed at the outer outlet, while the larger CTCs equilibrate near the inner channel wall and are collected from the inner outlet. By using a single spiral microchannel with one inlet and two outlets, we have successfully isolated and recovered more than 80% of the tested cancer cell line cells (MCF-7, T24 and MDA-MB-231) spiked in 7.5 mL of blood within 8 min with extremely high purity (400-680 WBCs mL(-1); ~4 log depletion of WBCs). Putative CTCs were detected and isolated from 100% of the patient samples (n = 10) with advanced stage metastatic breast and lung cancer using standard biomarkers (CK, CD45 and DAPI) with the frequencies ranging from 3-125 CTCs mL(-1). We expect this simple and elegant approach can surmount the shortcomings of traditional affinity-based CTC isolation techniques as well as enable fundamental studies on CTCs to guide treatment and enhance patient care.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF CELL ADHESION AND DETACHMENT IN MICROFLUIDICS

Inspired by the complex biophysical processes of cell adhesion and detachment under blood flow in vivo, numerous novel microfluidic devices have been developed to manipulate, capture, and separate bio-particles for various applications, such as cell analysis and cell enumeration. However, the underlying physical mechanisms are yet unclear, which has limited the further development of microfluidic devices and point-of-care (POC) systems. Mathematical modeling is an enabling tool to study the physical mechanisms of biological processes for its relative simplicity, low cost, and high efficiency. Recent development in computation technology for multiphase flow simulation enables the theoretical study of the complex flow processes of cell adhesion and detachment in microfluidics. Various mathematical methods (e.g., front tracking method, level set method, volume of fluid (VOF) method, fluid–solid interaction method, and particulate modeling method) have been developed to investigate the effects of cell properties (i.e., cell membrane, cytoplasma, and nucleus), flow conditions, and microchannel structures on cell adhesion and detachment in microfluidic channels. In this paper, with focus on our own simulation results, we review these methods and compare their advantages and disadvantages for cell adhesion/detachment modeling. The mathematical approaches discussed here would allow us to study microfluidics for cell capture and separation, and to develop more effective POC devices for disease diagnostics.

Specific capture and temperature-mediated release of cells in an aptamer-based microfluidic device

Isolation of cells from heterogeneous mixtures is critically important in both basic cell biology studies and clinical diagnostics. Cell isolation can be realized based on physical properties such as size, density and electrical properties. Alternatively, affinity binding of target cells by surface-immobilized ligands, such as antibodies, can be used to achieve specific cell isolation. Microfluidics technology has recently been used in conjunction with antibody-based affinity isolation methods to capture, purify and isolate cells with higher yield rates, better efficiencies and lower costs. However, a method that allows easy release and collection of live cells from affinity surfaces for subsequent analysis and detection has yet to be developed. This paper presents a microfluidic device that not only achieves specific affinity capture and enrichment, but also enables non-destructive, temperature-mediated release and retrieval of cells. Specific cell capture is achieved using surface-immobilized aptamers in a microchamber. Release of the captured cells is realized by a moderate temperature change, effected via integrated heaters and a temperature sensor, to reversibly disrupt the cell-aptamer interaction. Experimental results with CCRF-CEM cells have demonstrated that the device is capable of specific capture and temperature-mediated release of cells, that the released cells remain viable and that the aptamer-functionalized surface is regenerable.

Improvement in cell capture throughput using parallel bioactivated microfluidic channels

Optimization of targeted cell capture with microfluidic devices continues to be a challenge. On the one hand, microfluidics allow working with microliter volumes of liquids, whereas various applications in the real world require detection of target analyte in large volumes, such as capture of rare cell types in several ml of blood. This contrast of volumes (microliter vs. ml) has prevented the emergence of microfluidic cell capture sensors in the clinical setting. Here, we study the improvement in cell capture and throughput achieved using parallel bioactivated microfluidic channels. The device consists of channels in parallel with each other tied to a single channel. We discuss fabrication and testing of our devices, and show the ability for an improvement in throughput detection of target cells.

Microfluidic approaches for cancer cell detection, characterization, and separation

This article reviews the recent developments in microfluidic technologies for in vitro cancer diagnosis. We summarize the working principles and experimental results of key microfluidic platforms for cancer cell detection, characterization, and separation based on cell-affinity micro-chromatography, magnetic activated micro-sorting, and cellular biophysics (e.g., cell size and mechanical and electrical properties). We examine the advantages and limitations of each technique and discuss future research opportunities for improving device throughput and purity, and for enabling on-chip analysis of captured cancer cells.

A microfluidic system for testing the responses of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissue biopsies to treatment with chemotherapy drugs

Tumors are heterogeneous masses of cells characterized pathologically by their size and spread. Their chaotic biology makes treatment of malignancies hard to generalize. We present a robust and reproducible glass microfluidic system, for the maintenance and "interrogation" of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor biopsies, which enables continuous media perfusion and waste removal, recreating in vivo laminar flow and diffusion-driven conditions. Primary HNSCC or metastatic lymph samples were subsequently treated with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, alone and in combination, and were monitored for viability and apoptotic biomarker release 'off-chip' over 7 days. The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase was initially high but rapidly dropped to minimally detectable levels in all tumor samples; conversely, effluent concentration of WST-1 (cell proliferation) increased over 7 days: both factors demonstrating cell viability. Addition of cell lysis reagent resulted in increased cell death and reduction in cell proliferation. An apoptotic biomarker, cytochrome c, was analyzed and all the treated samples showed higher levels than the control, with the combination therapy showing the greatest effect. Hematoxylin- and Eosin-stained sections from the biopsy, before and after maintenance, demonstrated the preservation of tissue architecture. This device offers a novel method of studying the tumor environment, and offers a pre-clinical model for creating personalized treatment regimens.

Adhesion based detection, sorting and enrichment of cells in microfluidic Lab-on-Chip devices

The detection, isolation and sorting of cells are important tools in both clinical diagnostics and fundamental research. Advances in microfluidic cell sorting devices have enabled scientists to attain improved separation with comparative ease and considerable time savings. Despite the great potential of Lab-on-Chip cell sorting devices for targeting cells with desired specificity and selectivity, this field of research remains unexploited. The challenge resides in the detection techniques which has to be specific, fast, cost-effective, and implementable within the fabrication limitations of microchips. Adhesion-based microfluidic devices seem to be a reliable solution compared to the sophisticated detection techniques used in other microfluidic cell sorting systems. It provides the specificity in detection, label-free separation without requirement for a preprocessing step, and the possibility of targeting rare cell types. This review elaborates on recent advances in adhesion-based microfluidic devices for sorting, detection and enrichment of different cell lines, with a particular focus on selective adhesion of desired cells on surfaces modified with ligands specific to target cells. The effect of shear stress on cell adhesion in flow conditions is also discussed. Recently published applications of specific adhesive ligands and surface functionalization methods have been presented to further elucidate the advances in cell adhesive microfluidic devices.

Microfluidics in macro-biomolecules analysis: macro inside in a nano world

Use of microfluidic devices in the life sciences and medicine has created the possibility of performing investigations at the molecular level. Moreover, microfluidic devices are also part of the technological framework that has enabled a new type of scientific information to be revealed, i.e. that based on intensive screening of complete sets of gene and protein sequences. A deeper bioanalytical perspective may provide quantitative and qualitative tools, enabling study of various diseases and, eventually, may offer support for the development of accurate and reliable methods for clinical assessment. This would open the way to molecule-based diagnostics, i.e. establish accurate diagnosis and disease prognosis based on identification and/or quantification of biomacromolecules, for example proteins or nucleic acids. Finally, the development of disposable and portable devices for molecule-based diagnosis would provide the perfect translation of the science behind life-science research into practical applications dedicated to patients and health practitioners. This review provides an analytical perspective of the impact of microfluidics on the detection and characterization of bio-macromolecules involved in pathological processes. The main features of molecule-based diagnostics and the specific requirements for the diagnostic devices are discussed. Further, the techniques currently used for testing bio-macromolecules for potential diagnostic purposes are identified, emphasizing the newest developments. Subsequently, the challenges of this type of application and the status of commercially available devices are highlighted, and future trends are noted.

Light scattering and morphology of the lymphocyte as applied to flow cytometry for distinguishing healthy and infected individuals

A simple optical model of single lymphocytes with smooth and nonsmooth surfaces has been developed for healthy and infected individuals. The model can be used for rapid (in the real-time scale) solution of the inverse light-scattering problem on the basis of optical data measured by label-free flow cytometry. Light scattering patterns have been calculated for the model developed. It has been shown that the smooth and nonsmooth cells can be resolved using the intensities of the sideward- and backward-scattered light. We have found by calculations and validated by the flow cytometer experiments that intensity distributions for the cells of lymphocyte populations can be used as a preliminary signatures of some virus infections. Potential biomedical applications of the findings for label-free flow cytometry detection of individuals infected with viruses of hepatitis B or C and some others viruses are presented.

Detachment of captured cancer cells under flow acceleration in a bio-functionalized microchannel

Attachment, deformation and detachment of N-cadherin expressing prostate and breast cancer cell lines in a functionalized microchannel under hydrodynamic loading have been studied. N-cadherin antibodies are immobilized on the microchannel surface to capture the target cancer cells, PC3N and MDA-MB-231-N, from a homogeneous cell suspension. Although difficult, a significant fraction of moving cells can be captured under a low flow rate. More than 90% of the target cells are captured after a certain incubation time under no flow condition. The mechanical response of a captured cancer cell to hydrodynamic flow field is investigated and, in particular, the effect of flow acceleration is examined. The observed cell deformation is dramatic under low acceleration, but is negligible under high acceleration. Consequently, the detachment of captured cells depends on both flow rate and flow acceleration. The flow rate required for cell detachment is a random variable that can be described by a log-normal distribution. Two flow acceleration limits have been identified for proper scaling of the flow rate required to detach captured cells. A time constant for the mechanical response of a captured cell, on the order of 1 min, has been identified for scaling the flow acceleration. Based on these acceleration limits and time constant, an exponential-like empirical model is proposed to predict the flow rate required for cell detachment as a function of flow acceleration.

Effect of channel geometry on cell adhesion in microfluidic devices

Microfluidic channels coated with ligands are a versatile platform for the separation or enrichment of cells from small sample volumes. This adhesion-based mode of separation is mediated by ligand-receptor bonds between the cells and channel surface and also by fluid shear stress. This paper demonstrates how aspects of microchannel geometry can play an additional role in controlling cell adhesion. With a combination of computational fluid dynamics modeling and cell adhesion experiments, channels with sharp turns are shown to have regions with near-zero velocity at the turn regions where large numbers of cells adhere or become collected. The lack of uniform adhesion in the turn regions compared to other regions of these channels, together with the large variability in observed cell adhesion indicates that channels with sharp turns are not optimal for cell-capture applications where predictable cell adhesion is desired. Channels with curved turns, on the other hand are shown to provide more uniform and predictable cell adhesion provided the gap between parallel arms of the channels is sufficiently wide. The magnitude of cell adhesion in these curved channels is comparable to that in straight channels with no turns.

Enrichment of cancer cells using aptamers immobilized on a microfluidic channel

This work describes the development and investigation of an aptamer modified microfluidic device that captures rare cells to achieve a rapid assay without pretreatment of cells. To accomplish this, aptamers are first immobilized on the surface of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannel, followed by pumping a mixture of cells through the device. This process permits the use of optical microscopy to measure the cell-surface density from which we calculate the percentage of cells captured as a function of cell and aptamer concentration, flow velocity, and incubation time. This aptamer-based device was demonstrated to capture target cells with >97% purity and >80% efficiency. Since the cell capture assay is completed within minutes and requires no pretreatment of cells, the device promises to play a key role in the early detection and diagnosis of cancer where rare diseased cells can first be enriched and then captured for detection.

Microfluidic depletion of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts from heterogeneous suspensions

Interactions between ligands and cell surface receptors can be exploited to design adhesion-based microfluidic cell separation systems. When ligands are immobilized on the microfluidic channel surfaces, the resulting cell capture devices offer the typical advantages of small sample volumes and low cost associated with microfluidic systems, with the added benefit of not requiring complex fabrication schemes or extensive operational infrastructure. Cell-ligand interactions can range from highly specific to highly non-specific. This paper describes the design of an adhesion-based microfluidic separation system that takes advantage of both types of interactions. A 3-stage system of microfluidic devices coated with the tetrapeptides arg-glu-asp-val (REDV), val-ala-pro-gly (VAPG), and arg-gly-asp-ser (RGDS) is utilized to deplete a heterogeneous suspension containing endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. The ligand-coated channels together with a large surface area allow effective depletion of all three cell types in a stagewise manner.

Cellular separations: A review of new challenges in analytical chemistry

The ability to generate a sample of cells of a given phenotype is a prerequisite for many cellular assays. In response to this growing need, numerous methods for cell separation have been developed in recent years. This Review covers recent progress in the field of cell separations and cell chromatography. Cell separation principles-such as size and affinity capture-are discussed, as well as conventional methods such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting and magnetic sorting. Planar flow cell arrays, dielectrophoresis, field-flow methods, and column separation devices are reviewed, as well as applications of these methods to medicine and biotechnology. Cell attachment and adhesion strategies and a comparison of techniques are also presented.

Isolation and counting of multiple cell types using an affinity separation device

A simple device for the separation of cells by phenotype is described. Cells are separated/isolated using capture antibodies on a glass chip. Unlike other "sandwich" type assays, the readout is performed without labels using transmission microscopy, simplifying cell enumeration. T and B lymphocytes from cell culture or whole blood were separated using antibodies for the CD4, CD19, and CD71 antigens. The separation slides were found to reproducibly bind cells by antigen expression, allowing for accurate enumeration of mixed cell samples. Inter- and intra-device variability was evaluated, and the issue of nonspecific binding is addressed. We envision that this type of cell separation technique could be used in remote settings, as sample preparation is minimal and the analysis time is rapid (20 min from sample acquisition to final readout).