Generation of controllable gaseous H2S concentrations using microfluidics

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays an important role as an intercellular and intracellular signaling molecule, yet its targets are not well understood. As a molecule it easily evaporates and it is hard to acquire stable concentration for in vitro studies, constituting a major problem for the field to identify its downstream targets and function. Here we develop a microfluidic system that can provide consistent and controllable H₂S levels in contrast to the current method of delivering large bolus doses to cells. The system relies on the permeability of H₂S gas through a polydimethylsiloxane thin membrane. A hydrogen sulfide donor, sodium hydrosulfide, is perfused in the microchannels below the gas permeable membrane and gaseous H₂S diffuses across the membrane, providing a stable concentration for up to 5 hours. Using electrochemical sensors within 3 ppm range, we found that H₂S concentration was dependent on two parameters, the concentration of H₂S donor, sodium hydrosulfide and the flow rate of the solution in the microchannels. Additionally, different H₂S concentration profiles can be obtained by alternating the flow rate, providing an easy means to control the H₂S concentration. Our approach constitutes a unique method for H₂S delivery for in vitro and ex vivo studies and is ideally suited to identify novel biological processes and cellular mechanisms regulated by H₂S.