Abstract
The process of cancer metastasis follows a complex cascade of events. Animal models, the conventional model of choice, have improved our understanding of metastasis, but they provide limited spatial and temporal resolution of cellular events, and are thus not suitable to understand microenvironmental stimuli. Using microtechnology and tissue engineering, we have developed a microfluidic platform that supports growth of tumor spheroids spatially separated, but in communication through controlled diffusion and convection, from vascular networks. In this study we have characterized interstitial flow patterns and morphogen distribution within the platform, and then demonstrated its utility by assessing the effect of interstitial flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradients on angiogenesis. We found that vessel sprouting is independently influenced by interstitial flow and the VEGF spatial gradient.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 |
Publisher | Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society |
Pages | 181-183 |
Number of pages | 3 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780979806476 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 - San Antonio, United States Duration: Oct 26 2014 → Oct 30 2014 |
Other
Other | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 |
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Country | United States |
City | San Antonio |
Period | 10/26/14 → 10/30/14 |
Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- Cancer technologies
- Organ-on-a-chip
- Tumor microenvironment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Control and Systems Engineering