Abstract

Implementation of a Cellular Co-Culture Interface Within a Placenta-on-Chip Device

Jamal Daoud, Research Associate, National Research Council of Canada

During the last decade, microfabrication technology has been adapted into microfluidics and organ-on-chip technology [1-3]. Herein, a microfluidic device implementing a placenta-on-chip model is introduced in order to mimic the materno-fetal interface. The platform involves the co-culture of HUVEC and JEG-3 cells to emulate fetal and placental tissue, respectively, and analyze respective cell-cell signalling arising from biochemical stimuli. The proposed placenta-on-chip device is fabricated using biocompatible thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) polymers. The design provides top and bottom channels for HUVEC and JEG-3 culture, whereby pillars separate a center channel emulating an intercellular cross-talk space allowing biomolecule exchange. The pillars outlining the center channel enclose a functionalized bead bed, which serves as a bio-interface for analyzing cross-talk resulting from intercellular interaction. Moreover, the bead filled cross-talk space between the two cell lines provides a physiologically relevant interface for cellular adhesion, while also potentially serving as a substrate for biomolecule capture and detection.