Abstract
We present a novel pumpless microfluidic array driven by surface tension for studying the physiology of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Efficient fluid flow in the array is achieved by surface tension-generated pressure as a result of inlet and outlet size differences. Flow properties are characterized in numerical simulation and further confirmed by experimental measurements. Using this device, we perform a set of biological assays, which include real-time fluorescent imaging and insulin secretion kinetics for both mouse and human islets. Our results demonstrate that this system not only drastically simplifies previously published experimental protocols for islet study by eliminating the need for external pumps/tubing and reducing the volume of solution consumption, but it also achieves a higher analytical spatiotemporal resolution due to efficient flow exchanges and the extremely small volume of solutions required. Overall, the microfluidic platform presented can be used as a potential powerful tool for understanding islet physiology, antidiabetic drug development, and islet transplantation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. F. Adewola, D. Lee, et al., Biomed. Microdevices 12, 3 (2010)
E. Berthier, D. J. Beebe, Lab Chip 7, 11 (2007)
A. Bransky, N. Korin, et al., Lab Chip 9, 4 (2009)
S. Chakraborty, Lab Chip 5, 4 (2005)
J. Y. Chang, S. Wang, et al., Biomicrofluidics 8, 4 (2014)
A. Chen, T. Pan, Lab Chip 14, 17 (2014)
J. F. Dishinger, R. T. Kennedy, Anal Chem 79, 3 (2007)
J. F. Dishinger, K. R. Reid, et al., Anal. Chem. 81, 8 (2009)
A. Gangemi, P. Salehi, et al., Am. J. Transplant. 8, 6 (2008)
Y. X. Guan, Z. R. Xu, et al., Talanta 68, 4 (2006)
J. Hoffelner, H. Landes, et al., IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control 48, 3 (2001)
S. E. Hulme, S. S. Shevkoplyas, et al., Lab Chip 9, 1 (2009)
J. Ju, J. Y. Park, et al., J of Micromech and Microeng 18, 8 (2008)
D. Lee, Y. Wang, et al., Biomed. Microdevices 14, 1 (2012)
X. Liu, S. Li, J Lab Autom 19, 5 (2014)
A. Mata, A. J. Fleischman, et al., Biomed. Microdevices 7, 4 (2005)
D. R. Matthews, B. A. Naylor, et al., Diabetes 32, 7 (1983)
I. Meyvantsson, J. W. Warrick, et al., Lab Chip 8, 5 (2008)
J. S. Mohammed, Y. Wang, et al., Lab Chip 9, 1 (2009)
M. Nourmohammadzadeh, J. F. Lo, et al., Anal. Chem. 85, 23 (2013)
M. Nourmohammadzadeh, Y. Xing, et al., Lab Chip 16, 8 (2016)
K. S. Polonsky, B. D. Given, et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 318, 19 (1988)
J. V. Rocheleau, G. M. Walker, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 101, 35 (2004)
E. A. Ryan, J. R. Lakey, et al., Diabetes 51, 7 (2002)
J. G. Santiago, S. T. Wereley, et al., Experiments in Fluidic 25, 4 (1998)
A. M. Shapiro, J. R. Lakey, et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 343, 4 (2000)
W. H. Tan, S. Takeuchi, Lab Chip 8, 2 (2008)
G. Walker, D. J. Beebe, Lab Chip 2, 3 (2002)
Y. Wang, J. F. Lo, et al., Bioanalysis 2, 10 (2010)
Y. Wang, K. K. Danielson, et al., Cell Transplant. 22, 12 (2013)
J. F. Worley, 3rd, M. S. Mcintyre, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 20 (1994)
S. Xing, R. S. Harake, et al., Lab Chip 11, 21 (2011)
Z. R. Xu, C. H. Zhong, et al., Lab Chip 8, 10 (2008)
K. Yamamoto, R. Korenaga, et al., Circ. Res. 87, 5 (2000)
X. Zhang, M. G. Roper, Anal Chem 81, 3 (2009)
X. Zhang, A. Daou, et al., Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 301, 4 (2011)
B. Zhao, J. S. Moore, et al., Anal. Chem. 74, 16 (2002)
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the UIC human islet isolation and transplantation program for providing human and mouse islets and for their technical support. This work is in part supported by NIH R01 DK091526 (JO, YW), JDRF Microfluidic-Based Functional Facility at UIC (JO, YW), and the Chicago Diabetes Project (CDP).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Xing, Y., Nourmohammadzadeh, M., Elias, J.E.M. et al. A pumpless microfluidic device driven by surface tension for pancreatic islet analysis. Biomed Microdevices 18, 80 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-016-0109-4
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-016-0109-4