Biomimetic microfluidic device for in vitro antihypertensive drug evaluation

Mol Pharm. 2014 Jul 7;11(7):2009-15. doi: 10.1021/mp5000532. Epub 2014 Apr 7.

Abstract

Microfluidic devices have emerged as revolutionary, novel platforms for in vitro drug evaluation. In this work, we developed a facile method for evaluating antihypertensive drugs using a microfluidic chip. This microfluidic chip was generated using the elastic material poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and a microchannel structure that simulated a blood vessel as fabricated on the chip. We then cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) inside the channel. Different pressures and shear stresses could be applied on the cells. The generated vessel mimics can be used for evaluating the safety and effects of antihypertensive drugs. Here, we used hydralazine hydrochloride as a model drug. The results indicated that hydralazine hydrochloride effectively decreased the pressure-induced dysfunction of endothelial cells. This work demonstrates that our microfluidic system provides a convenient and cost-effective platform for studying cellular responses to drugs under mechanical pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / chemistry
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology*
  • Biomimetics / methods*
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Drug Evaluation / methods
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydralazine / chemistry
  • Hydralazine / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques / methods
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices / methods*
  • Microfluidics / methods
  • Nylons / chemistry
  • Pressure
  • Shear Strength / drug effects
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Nylons
  • poly(dimethylsiloxane)-polyamide copolymer
  • Hydralazine