Microfluidic systems have emerged as a new class of perfusable in vitro culture models that have helped advance and refine our understanding of microvascular function. Cutting‐edge microfluidic models have successfully integrated principles from quantitative analysis of vascular function, in vitro flow chambers, microfabrication techniques, and 3D tissue scaffolds. Here, we review the evolution of microfluidic systems, namely their progression from 2D planar microchannel arrays to 3D microtissue analogs, and highlight their recent contributions in elucidating the role of biomolecular transport and fluid mechanical stimuli in controlling angiogenesis. Further advancement of microfluidic systems in recapitulating tissue‐level phenomena in vitro, controlling important physiochemical and biological parameters, and integrating cellular and molecular analysis will help further enhance their application within the microcirculation research community.
This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2025
The role of the circulatory system, containing the blood and lymphatic vasculatures, within the body, has become increasingly focused on by researchers as dysfunction of either of the systems has been linked to serious complications and disease. Currently, in vivo models are unable to provide the sufficient monitoring and level of manipulation needed to characterize the fluidic dynamics of the microcirculation in blood and lymphatic vessels; thus in vitro models have been pursued as an alternative model. Microfluidic devices have the required properties to provide a physiologically relevant circulatory system model for research as well as the experimental tools to conduct more advanced research analyses of microcirculation flow. In this review paper, the physiological behavior of fluid flow and electrical communication within the endothelial cells of the systems are detailed and discussed to highlight their complexities. Cell co-culturing methods and other relevant organ-on-a-chip devices will be evaluated to demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of the in vitro microfluidic model. Microfluidic systems will be determined as a noteworthy model that can display physiologically relevant flow of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, which will enable researchers to investigate the systems' prevalence in diseases and identify potential therapeutics.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 2047903
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10528106
- Publisher / Repository:
- Biomicrofludics
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Biomicrofluidics
- Volume:
- 18
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 1932-1058
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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