Construction of a microfluidic system for the analysis of human blood-placental barrier

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25750157
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2014); The University of Tokyo (2013)
• Principal Investigator: SHIGENORI MIURA 京都大学, 再生医科学研究所, 助教 (70511244)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 胎盤バリア / 流体シェアストレス / 微絨毛 / カルシウムイオン / TRP channel

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We constructed a microfluidic system that enabled us to analyze the function of human placental barrier under the fluid flow microenvironment. We used a human trophoblastic cell line, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and a vitrified collagen scaffold to reconstruct the polarized multi-layered barrier structure between two microfluidic channels. Using our device, we found that fluid flow induced the formation of microvilli in the placental barrier construct, as observed in the placental barrier tissue, whereas static culture failed to induce microvilli. Fluid shear stress also affected the material transfer through the barrier constructs. We further revealed that the microvilli are induced via a mechanosensitive activation of TRP channel.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学、分子生物学