On-chip-angiogenesis based on a high-throughput biomimetic three-dimensional cell spheroid culture system

Abstract

Angiogenesis is one of the most essential developmental processes and plays a key role in organogenesis and tumorigenesis in which epithelial cells proliferate and migrate, thus resulting in sprouting and extension of the existing vasculature. The study of angiogenesis in vivo is limited by difficulties related to imaging of the fine structure of vascular sprouting within non-transparent bulk tissue. Thus, many model systems have been proposed in recent years. However, to meet the urgent need for high-throughput studies and screening, further improvements are still required, particularly in terms of scaling-up. In this study, we combined microchip fabrication with the culture of three-dimensional (3D) spheroids, thus providing a platform for 3D multilayer angiogenesis-on-a-chip. Using this platform, we investigated the precise effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on angiogenesis. In comparison with two-dimensional (2D) angiogenesis assays, our 3D angiogenesis platform demonstrated superior sprouting and provided proof of concept that our 3D biomimetic angiogenesis-on-a-chip could serve as a powerful tool for pro- or anti-angiogenesis candidate drug screening.