A microfluidic labchip for angiogenesis inhibitor studies via multi-gradients of cancer and fibroblast stimuli

Recently, the study of in vitro capillary network using microfluidic devices by generating single concentration gradient have uncovered many biological information of angiogenesis. However, the platform for angiogenesis inhibitors have not been proposed. In this study, we have developed a microfluidic device for generation of multi gradients to stimuli cancer-induced angiogenesis and fibroblast-induced angiogenesis simultaneously. The device features an interaction chamber, connected to the surrounding channels with radian shaped low-height structures used to locate clusters of cells. The formation of multiple gradients is achieved in the interaction chamber through diffusion and sustained by continuous perfusion. Microfluidic valve was developed to control the direction of flow for trapping cells of different types respectively. We show that our device could generate multiple concentration gradient and trap clusters of cells. These results demonstrated that our device is able to stimuli the angiogenesis and can be used to do the angiogenesis inhibitor study.