A microfluidic gradient maker for toxicity testing of bupivacaine and lidocaine

Prospection of Microfluidics for Local Drug Delivery

Significant endeavors can be made to develop effective drug delivery systems. Nowadays, many of these novel systems have gained attention as they focus primarily on increasing the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of several drugs to finally minimize the side effects, thus improving the treatment's efficacy. Microfluidics systems are unquestionably a superior technology, which is currently revolutionizing the current chemical and biological studies, providing diminutive chip-scale devices that offer precise dosage, target-precise delivery, and controlled release. Microfluidic systems have emerged as a promising delivery vehicle owing to their potential for defined handling and transporting of small liquid quantities. The latest microfabrication developments have been made for application to several biological systems. Here, we review the fundamentals of microfluidics and their application for local drug delivery.

Microtoxicology by microfluidic instrumentation: a review

Microtoxicology is concerned with the toxic effects of small amounts of substances. This review paper discusses the application of small amounts of noxious substances for toxicological investigation in small volumes. The vigorous development of miniaturized methods in microfluidics over the last two decades involves chip-based devices, micro droplet-based procedures, and the use of micro-segmented flow for microtoxicological studies. The studies have shown that the microfluidic approach is particularly valuable for highly parallelized and combinatorial dose-response screenings. Accurate dosing and mixing of effector substances in large numbers of microcompartments supplies detailed data of dose-response functions by highly concentration-resolved assays and allows evaluation of stochastic responses in case of small separated cell ensembles and single cell experiments. The investigations demonstrate that very different biological targets can be studied using miniaturized approaches, among them bacteria, eukaryotic microorganisms, cell cultures from tissues of multicellular organisms, stem cells, and early embryonic states. Cultivation and effector exposure tests can be performed in small volumes over weeks and months, confirming that the microfluicial strategy is also applicable for slow-growing organisms. Here, the state of the art of miniaturized toxicology, particularly for studying antibiotic susceptibility, drug toxicity testing in the miniaturized system like organ-on-chip, environmental toxicology, and the characterization of combinatorial effects by two and multi-dimensional screenings, is discussed. Additionally, this review points out the practical limitations of the microtoxicology platform and discusses perspectives on future opportunities and challenges.

A disc-chip based high-throughput acute toxicity detection system

Acute toxicity assay presents vital significance in modern environmental monitoring, including online detection and in-situ assay for emergency events. Although photobacteria related detection methods were established and verified in the past decades with combination of photomultiplier tube (PMT), the price and size of PMT sensor hampered application of rapid acute toxicity assay and detection system miniaturization, especially in the resource-limited occasions. Wide application of smartphones with great low-light performance cameras could be used in photobacteria-based toxicity assay instead of the PMT methods. Herein a box-type portable detection system had been successfully established, including a disc-chip for detection, detection device, and smartphones with a high-performance camera. The system performed well showing stable temperature and rotation control. Results captured by CMOS-based camera presented a linear relationship with PMT-based detection method. An image progress algorithm was also established and tested by series diluted zinc sulfate solution as a reference substance. The system also performed well for toxicity analysis for real Atmospheric particle matter sample. The system could be used in some environmental monitoring scenarios as an alternative solution.

Biochemical and Mechanical Gradients Synergize To Enhance Cartilage Zonal Organization in 3D

Articular cartilage is characterized by zonal organizations containing dual gradients of biochemical cues and mechanical cues. However, how biochemical gradient interacts with the mechanical gradient to drive the cartilage zonal development remains largely unknown. Here, we report the development of a dual-gradient hydrogel platform as a 3D niche to elucidate the relative contributions of biochemical and mechanical niche gradients in modulating zonal-specific chondrocyte responses and cartilage zonal organization. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a major constituent of cartilage extracellular matrix, was chosen as the biochemical cue. Poly(ethylene glycol), a bioinert polymer, was used to create the stiffness gradient. Dual-gradient hydrogels upregulated cartilage marker expressions and increased chondrocyte proliferation and collagen deposition in a zonal-dependent manner. Hydrogels with CS gradient alone exhibited poor mechanical strength and degraded prematurely after 1 week of culture. While CS gradient alone did not support long-term culture, adding CS gradient to mechanical-gradient hydrogels substantially enhanced cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan production, and collagen deposition compared to mechanical-gradient hydrogels alone. These results suggest that biochemical and mechanical gradient cues synergize to enhance cartilage zonal organization by chondrocytes in 3D. Together, our results validate the potential of dual-gradient hydrogels as a 3D cell niche for cartilage regeneration with zonal organization and may be used to recreate other tissue interfaces.

Microfluidics for Antibiotic Susceptibility and Toxicity Testing

The recent emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a major concern for worldwide policy makers as very few new antibiotics have been developed in the last twenty-five years. To prevent the death of millions of people worldwide, there is an urgent need for a cheap, fast and accurate set of tools and techniques that can help to discover and develop new antimicrobial drugs. In the past decade, microfluidic platforms have emerged as potential systems for conducting pharmacological studies. Recent studies have demonstrated that microfluidic platforms can perform rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests to evaluate antimicrobial drugs’ efficacy. In addition, the development of cell-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip platforms have enabled the early drug testing, providing more accurate insights into conventional cell cultures on the drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity, at the early and cheaper stage of drug development, i.e., prior to animal and human testing. In this review, we focus on the recent developments of microfluidic platforms for rapid antibiotics susceptibility testing, investigating bacterial persistence and non-growing but metabolically active (NGMA) bacteria, evaluating antibiotic effectiveness on biofilms and combinatorial effect of antibiotics, as well as microfluidic platforms that can be used for in vitro antibiotic toxicity testing.

Screening applications in drug discovery based on microfluidic technology

Microfluidics has been the focus of interest for the last two decades for all the advantages such as low chemical consumption, reduced analysis time, high throughput, better control of mass and heat transfer, downsizing a bench-top laboratory to a chip, i.e., lab-on-a-chip, and many others it has offered. Microfluidic technology quickly found applications in the pharmaceutical industry, which demands working with leading edge scientific and technological breakthroughs, as drug screening and commercialization are very long and expensive processes and require many tests due to unpredictable results. This review paper is on drug candidate screening methods with microfluidic technology and focuses specifically on fabrication techniques and materials for the microchip, types of flow such as continuous or discrete and their advantages, determination of kinetic parameters and their comparison with conventional systems, assessment of toxicities and cytotoxicities, concentration generations for high throughput, and the computational methods that were employed. An important conclusion of this review is that even though microfluidic technology has been in this field for around 20 years there is still room for research and development, as this cutting edge technology requires ingenuity to design and find solutions for each individual case. Recent extensions of these microsystems are microengineered organs-on-chips and organ arrays.

Gradient microfluidics enables rapid bacterial growth inhibition testing

Bacterial growth inhibition tests have become a standard measure of the adverse effects of inhibitors for a wide range of applications, such as toxicity testing in the medical and environmental sciences. However, conventional well-plate formats for these tests are laborious and provide limited information (often being restricted to an end-point assay). In this study, we have developed a microfluidic system that enables fast quantification of the effect of an inhibitor on bacteria growth and survival, within a single experiment. This format offers a unique combination of advantages, including long-term continuous flow culture, generation of concentration gradients, and single cell morphology tracking. Using Escherichia coli and the inhibitor amoxicillin as one model system, we show excellent agreement between an on-chip single cell-based assay and conventional methods to obtain quantitative measures of antibiotic inhibition (for example, minimum inhibition concentration). Furthermore, we show that our methods can provide additional information, over and above that of the standard well-plate assay, including kinetic information on growth inhibition and measurements of bacterial morphological dynamics over a wide range of inhibitor concentrations. Finally, using a second model system, we show that this chip-based systems does not require the bacteria to be labeled and is well suited for the study of naturally occurring species. We illustrate this using Nitrosomonas europaea, an environmentally important bacteria, and show that the chip system can lead to a significant reduction in the period required for growth and inhibition measurements (<4 days, compared to weeks in a culture flask).

Using microfluidic chip to form brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration gradient for studying neuron axon guidance

Molecular gradients play a significant role in regulating biological and pathological processes. Although conventional gradient-generators have been used for studying chemotaxis and axon guidance, there are still many limitations, including the inability to maintain stable tempo-spatial gradients and the lack of the cell monitoring in a real-time manner. To overcome these shortcomings, microfluidic devices have been developed. In this study, we developed a microfluidic gradient device for regulating neuron axon guidance. A microfluidic device enables the generation of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gradient profiles in a temporal and spatial manner. We test the effect of the gradient profiles on axon guidance, in the BDNF concentration gradient axon towards the high concentration gradient. This microfluidic gradient device could be used as a powerful tool for cell biology research.

Design, fabrication and characterization of drug delivery systems based on lab-on-a-chip technology

Lab-on-a-chip technology is an emerging field evolving from the recent advances of micro- and nanotechnologies. The technology allows the integration of various components into a single microdevice. Microfluidics, the science and engineering of fluid flow in microscale, is the enabling underlying concept for lab-on-a-chip technology. The present paper reviews the design, fabrication and characterization of drug delivery systems based on this amazing technology. The systems are categorized and discussed according to the scales at which the drug is administered. Starting with the fundamentals on scaling laws of mass transfer and basic fabrication techniques, the paper reviews and discusses drug delivery devices for cellular, tissue and organism levels. At the cellular level, a concentration gradient generator integrated with a cell culture platform is the main drug delivery scheme of interest. At the tissue level, the synthesis of smart particles as drug carriers using lab-on-a-chip technology is the main focus of recent developments. At the organism level, microneedles and implantable devices with fluid-handling components are the main drug delivery systems. For drug delivery to a small organism that can fit into a microchip, devices similar to those of cellular level can be used.

In vitro toxicological screening of nanoparticles on primary human endothelial cells and the role of flow in modulating cell response

After passage through biological barriers, nanomaterials inevitably end up in contact with the vascular endothelium and can induce cardiovascular damage. In this study the toxicity and sub-lethal effects of six types of nanoparticle, including four of industrial and biomedical importance, on human endothelial cells were investigated using different in vitro assays. The results show that all the particles investigated induce some level of damage to the cells and that silver particles were most toxic, followed by titanium dioxide. Furthermore, endothelial cells were shown to be more susceptible when exposed to silver nanoparticles under flow conditions in a bioreactor. The study underlines that although simple in vitro tests are useful to screen compounds and to identify the type of effect induced on cells, they may not be sufficient to define safe exposure limits. Therefore, once initial toxicity screening has been conducted on nanomaterials, it is necessary to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro models to better understand how nanomaterials can impact on human health.

Quantitative full-colour transmitted light microscopy and dyes for concentration mapping and measurement of diffusion coefficients in microfluidic architectures

A simple and versatile methodology has been developed for the simultaneous measurement of multiple concentration profiles of colourants in transparent microfluidic systems, using a conventional transmitted light microscope, a digital colour (RGB) camera and numerical image processing combined with multicomponent analysis. Rigorous application of the Beer-Lambert law would require monochromatic probe conditions, but in spite of the broad spectral bandwidths of the three colour channels of the camera, a linear relation between the measured optical density and dye concentration is established under certain conditions. An optimised collection of dye solutions for the quantitative optical microscopic characterisation of microfluidic devices is proposed. Using the methodology for optical concentration measurement we then implement and validate a simplified and robust method for the microfluidic measurement of diffusion coefficients using an H-filter architecture. It consists of measuring the ratio of the concentrations of the two output channels of the H-filter. It enables facile determination of the diffusion coefficient, even for non-fluorescent molecules and nanoparticles, and is compatible with non-optical detection of the analyte.

Design of pressure-driven microfluidic networks using electric circuit analogy

This article reviews the application of electric circuit methods for the analysis of pressure-driven microfluidic networks with an emphasis on concentration- and flow-dependent systems. The application of circuit methods to microfluidics is based on the analogous behaviour of hydraulic and electric circuits with correlations of pressure to voltage, volumetric flow rate to current, and hydraulic to electric resistance. Circuit analysis enables rapid predictions of pressure-driven laminar flow in microchannels and is very useful for designing complex microfluidic networks in advance of fabrication. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the physics of pressure-driven laminar flow, the formal analogy between electric and hydraulic circuits, applications of circuit theory to microfluidic network-based devices, recent development and applications of concentration- and flow-dependent microfluidic networks, and promising future applications. The lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and microfluidics community will gain insightful ideas and practical design strategies for developing unique microfluidic network-based devices to address a broad range of biological, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other scientific and technical challenges.

Engineering Quasi-Vivo in vitro organ models

Cell culture is the workhorse of biologists, toxicologists, tissue engineers and a whole host of research fields in both academia and industry. Having explored individual molecular mechanisms inside cells for decades using traditional cell culture techniques, researchers have only just begun to appreciate that the intricate interconnectivity between cells and cellular networks as well as with the external environment is far more important to cellular orchestration than are single molecular events inside the cell. For example many questions regarding cell, tissue, organ and system response to drugs, environmental toxins, stress and nutrients cannot possibly be answered by concentrating on the minutiae of what goes on in the deepest recesses of single cells. New models are required to investigate cellular cross-talk between different cell types and to construct complex in-vitro models to properly study tissue, organ and system interaction without resorting to animal experiments. This chapter describes how tissue and organ models can be developed using the Quasi-Vivo system and discusses how they may be used in drug toxicity studies.

High-resolution dose-response screening using droplet-based microfluidics

A critical early step in drug discovery is the screening of a chemical library. Typically, promising compounds are identified in a primary screen and then more fully characterized in a dose-response analysis with 7-10 data points per compound. Here, we describe a robust microfluidic approach that increases the number of data points to approximately 10,000 per compound. The system exploits Taylor-Aris dispersion to create concentration gradients, which are then segmented into picoliter microreactors by droplet-based microfluidics. The large number of data points results in IC(50) values that are highly precise (± 2.40% at 95% confidence) and highly reproducible (CV = 2.45%, n = 16). In addition, the high resolution of the data reveals complex dose-response relationships unambiguously. We used this system to screen a chemical library of 704 compounds against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a diabetes, obesity, and cancer target. We identified a number of novel inhibitors, the most potent being sodium cefsulodine, which has an IC(50) of 27 ± 0.83 μM.

Microfluidics for single cell analysis

Substantial evidence shows that the heterogeneity of individual cells within a genetically identical population can be critical to their chance of survival. Methods that use average responses from a population often mask the difference from individual cells. To fully understand cell-to-cell variability, a complete analysis of an individual cell, from its live state to cell lysates, is essential. Highly sensitive detection of multiple components and high throughput analysis of a large number of individual cells remain the key challenges to realise this aim. In this context, microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology have emerged as the most promising avenue to address these challenges. In this review, we will focus on the recent development in microfluidics that are aimed at total single cell analysis on chip, that is, from an individual live cell to its gene and proteins. We also discuss the opportunities that microfluidic based single cell analysis can bring into the drug discovery process.

NANO/MICROSCALE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Nano- and microscale technologies have made a marked impact on the development of drug delivery systems. The loading efficiency and particle size of nano/micro particles can be better controlled with these new technologies than conventional methods. Moreover, drug delivery systems are moving from simple particles to smart particles and devices with programmable functions. These technologies are also contributing to in vitro and in vivo drug testing, which are important to evaluate drug delivery systems. For in vitro tests, lab-on-a-chip models are potentially useful as alternatives to animal models. For in vivo test, nano/micro-biosensors are developed for testing chemicals and biologics with high sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we review the recent development of nanoscale and microscale technologies in drug delivery including drug delivery systems, in vitro and in vivo tests.

A microfluidic-based neurotoxin concentration gradient for the generation of an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease

In this study, we developed a miniaturized microfluidic-based high-throughput cell toxicity assay to create an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In particular, we generated concentration gradients of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to trigger a process of neuronal apoptosis in pheochromocytoma PC12 neuronal cell line. PC12 cells were cultured in a microfluidic channel, and a concentration gradient of 6-OHDA was generated in the channel by using a back and forth movement of the fluid flow. Cellular apoptosis was then analyzed along the channel. The results indicate that at low concentrations of 6-OHDA along the gradient (i.e., approximately less than 260 μM), the neuronal death in the channel was mainly induced by apoptosis, while at higher concentrations, 6-OHDA induced neuronal death mainly through necrosis. Thus, this concentration appears to be useful for creating an in vitro model of PD by inducing the highest level of apoptosis in PC12 cells. As microfluidic systems are advantageous in a range of properties such as throughput and lower use of reagents, they may provide a useful approach for generating in vitro models of disease for drug discovery applications.

Thiolene-based microfluidic flow cells for surface plasmon resonance imaging

Thiolene-based microfluidic devices have been coupled with surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) to provide an integrated platform to study interfacial interactions in both aqueous and organic solutions. In this work, we develop a photolithographic method that interfaces commercially available thiolene resin to gold and glass substrates to generate microfluidic channels with excellent adhesion that leave the underlying sensor surface free from contamination and readily available for surface modification through self-assembly. These devices can sustain high flow rates and have excellent solvent compatibility even with several organic solvents. To demonstrate the versatility of these devices, we have conducted nanomolar detection of streptavidin-biotin interactions using in situ SPRI.

Microfluidic device with chemical gradient for single-cell cytotoxicity assays

Here, we report the fabrication of a chemical gradient microfluidic device for single-cell cytotoxicity assays. This device consists of a microfluidic chemical gradient generator and a microcavity array that enables entrapment of cells with high efficiency at 88 ± 6% of the loaded cells. A 2-fold logarithmic chemical gradient generator that is capable of generating a serial 2-fold gradient was designed and then integrated with the microcavity array. High density single-cell entrapment was demonstrated in the device without cell damage, which was performed in 30 s. Finally, we validated the feasibility of this device to perform cytotoxicity assays by exposing cells to potassium cyanide (0-100 μM KCN). The device captured images of 4000 single cells affected by 6 concentrations of KCN and determined cell viability by counting the effected cells. Image scanning of the microcavity array was completed within 10 min using a 10× objective lens and a motorized stage. Aligning cells on the microcavity array eases cell counting, observation, imaging, and evaluation of singular cells. Thus, this platform was able to determine the cytotoxicity of chemicals at a single-cell level, as well as trace the cytotoxicity over time. This device and method will be useful for cytotoxicity analysis and basic biomedical research.

Gradient biomaterials for soft-to-hard interface tissue engineering

Interface tissue engineering (ITE) is a rapidly developing field that aims to fabricate biological tissue alternates with the goal of repairing or regenerating the functions of diseased or damaged zones at the interface of different tissue types (also called "interface tissues"). Notable examples of the interface tissues in the human body include ligament-to-bone, tendon-to-bone and cartilage-to-bone. Engineering interface tissues is a complex process, which requires a combination of specialized biomaterials with spatially organized material composition, cell types and signaling molecules. Therefore, the use of conventional biomaterials (monophasic or composites) for ITE has certain limitations to help stimulate the tissue integration or recreating the structural organization at the junction of different tissue types. The advancement of micro- and nanotechnologies enable us to develop systems with gradients in biomaterials properties that encourage the differentiation of multiple cell phenotypes and subsequent tissue development. In this review we discuss recent developments in the fabrication of gradient biomaterials for controlling cellular behavior such as migration, differentiation and heterotypic interactions. Moreover, we give an overview of potential uses of gradient biomaterials in engineering interface tissues such as soft tissues (e.g. cartilage) to hard tissues (e.g. bone), with illustrated experimental examples. We also address fundamentals of interface tissue organization, various gradient biomaterials used in ITE, micro- and nanotechnologies employed for the fabrication of those gradients, and certain challenges that must be met in order for ITE to reach its full potential.

Alginate-based microfluidic system for tumor spheroid formation and anticancer agent screening

We demonstrate a microfluidic system for long-term tumor cell culture and drug testing. Three-dimensional cell culture is critical in characterizing anticancer treatments since it may provide a better model than monolayer culture of tumor cells. Breast tumor cells were encapsulated within alginate which was gelled in situ within the microchannels. Tumor spheroid formation was observed several days after cell seeding, and various concentrations of doxorubicin were applied to the encapsulated cell aggregates. Drug effects on cell viability and proliferation were measured. In future, hydrogel-based microfluidic devices can comprise part of systems which replace labor intensive screening platforms currently implemented in the laboratory, and they address a need for improving preclinical testing of cancer cell sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs.

Microfluidic dissolved oxygen gradient generator biochip as a useful tool in bacterial biofilm studies

A microfluidic chip for generation of gradients of dissolved oxygen was designed, fabricated and tested. The novel way of active oxygen depletion through a gas permeable membrane was applied. Numerical simulations for generation of O(2) gradients were correlated with measured oxygen concentrations. The developed microsystem was used to study growth patterns of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in medium with different oxygen concentrations. The results showed that attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the substrate changed with oxygen concentration. This demonstrates that the device can be used for studies requiring controlled oxygen levels and for future studies of microaerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Microfluidic cell culture systems for drug research

In pharmaceutical research, an adequate cell-based assay scheme to efficiently screen and to validate potential drug candidates in the initial stage of drug discovery is crucial. In order to better predict the clinical response to drug compounds, a cell culture model that is faithful to in vivo behavior is required. With the recent advances in microfluidic technology, the utilization of a microfluidic-based cell culture has several advantages, making it a promising alternative to the conventional cell culture methods. This review starts with a comprehensive discussion on the general process for drug discovery and development, the role of cell culture in drug research, and the characteristics of the cell culture formats commonly used in current microfluidic-based, cell-culture practices. Due to the significant differences in several physical phenomena between microscale and macroscale devices, microfluidic technology provides unique functionality, which is not previously possible by using traditional techniques. In a subsequent section, the niches for using microfluidic-based cell culture systems for drug research are discussed. Moreover, some critical issues such as cell immobilization, medium pumping or gradient generation in microfluidic-based, cell-culture systems are also reviewed. Finally, some practical applications of microfluidic-based, cell-culture systems in drug research particularly those pertaining to drug toxicity testing and those with a high-throughput capability are highlighted.

In vitro microscale systems for systematic drug toxicity study

After administration, drugs go through a complex, dynamic process of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. The resulting time-dependent concentration, termed pharmacokinetics (PK), is critical to the pharmacological response from patients. An in vitro system that can test the dynamics of drug effects in a more systematic way would save time and costs in drug development. Integration of microfabrication and cell culture techniques has resulted in 'cells-on-a-chip' technology, which is showing promise for high-throughput drug screening in physiologically relevant manner. In this review, we summarize current research efforts which ultimately lead to in vitro systems for testing drug's effect in PK-based manner. In particular, we highlight the contribution of microscale systems towards this goal. We envision that the 'cells-on-a-chip' technology will serve as a valuable link between in vitro and in vivo studies, reducing the demand for animal studies, and making clinical trials more effective.