Neuroinflammatory response on a newly combinatorial cell–cell interaction chip

Abstract

Neuroinflammation is a common feature in various neurological disorders. Understanding neuroinflammation and neuro-immune interactions is of significant importance. However, the intercellular interactions in the inflammatory model are intricate. Microfluidic chips, with their complex micrometer-scale structures and real-time observation capabilities, offer unique advantages in tackling these complexities compared to other techniques. In this study, microfluidic chip technology was used to construct a microarray physical barrier structure with 15 μm spacing, providing well-defined cell growth areas and clearly delineated interaction channels. Moreover, an innovative hydrophilic treatment process on the glass surface facilitated long-term co-culture of cells. The developed neuroinflammation model on the chip revealed that SH-SY5Y cytotoxicity was predominantly influenced by co-cultured THP-1 cells. The co-culture model fostered complex interactions that may exacerbate cytotoxicity, including irregular morphological changes of cells, cell viability reduction, THP-1 cell migration, and the release of inflammatory factors. The integration of the combinatorial cell–cell interaction chip not only offers a clear imaging detection platform but also provides diverse data on cell migration distance, migration direction, and migration angle. Furthermore, the designed ample space for cell culture, along with microscale channels with fluid characteristics, allow for the study of inflammatory factor distribution patterns on the chip, offering vital theoretical data on biological relevance that conventional experiments cannot achieve. The fabricated user-friendly, reusable, and durable co-culture chip serves as a valuable in vitro tool, providing an intuitive platform for gaining insights into the complex mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation and other interacting models.