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  • A well plate-based multiplexed platform for incorporation of organoids into an organ-on-a-chip system with a perfusable vasculature.

A well plate-based multiplexed platform for incorporation of organoids into an organ-on-a-chip system with a perfusable vasculature.

Nature protocols (2021-04-02)
Benjamin Fook Lun Lai, Rick Xing Ze Lu, Locke Davenport Huyer, Sachiro Kakinoki, Joshua Yazbeck, Erika Yan Wang, Qinghua Wu, Boyang Zhang, Milica Radisic
ABSTRACT

Owing to their high spatiotemporal precision and adaptability to different host cells, organ-on-a-chip systems are showing great promise in drug discovery, developmental biology studies and disease modeling. However, many current micro-engineered biomimetic systems are limited in technological application because of culture media mixing that does not allow direct incorporation of techniques from stem cell biology, such as organoids. Here, we describe a detailed alternative method to cultivate millimeter-scale functional vascularized tissues on a biofabricated platform, termed 'integrated vasculature for assessing dynamic events', that enables facile incorporation of organoid technology. Utilizing the 3D stamping technique with a synthetic polymeric elastomer, a scaffold termed 'AngioTube' is generated with a central microchannel that has the mechanical stability to support a perfusable vascular system and the self-assembly of various parenchymal tissues. We demonstrate an increase in user familiarity and content analysis by situating the scaffold on a footprint of a 96-well plate. Uniquely, the platform can be used for facile connection of two or more tissue compartments in series through a common vasculature. Built-in micropores enable the studies of cell invasion involved in both angiogenesis and metastasis. We describe how this protocol can be applied to create both vascularized cardiac and hepatic tissues, metastatic breast cancer tissue and personalized pancreatic cancer tissue through incorporation of patient-derived organoids. Platform assembly to populating the scaffold with cells of interest into perfusable functional vascularized tissue will require 12-14 d and an additional 4 d if pre-polymer and master molds are needed.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Fibrinogen from human plasma, 50-70% protein (≥80% of protein is clottable)
Sigma-Aldrich
Gelatin from porcine skin, gel strength 80-120 g Bloom, Type A
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Anti-Goat IgG (whole molecule)–TRITC antibody produced in rabbit, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous solution
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Thrombin from human plasma, lyophilized powder, ≥2,000 NIH units/mg protein (E1%/280, 18.3)
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Monoclonal Anti-α-Actinin (Sarcomeric) antibody produced in mouse, clone EA-53, ascites fluid
Sigma-Aldrich
Aprotinin from bovine lung, lyophilized powder, 3-8 TIU/mg solid, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture