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Development of microfluidics as endothelial progenitor cell capture technology for cardiovascular tissue engineering and diagnostic medicine

We have developed a unique microfluidic platform capable of capturing circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by understanding surface chemistries and adhesion profiles. The surface of a variable‐shear‐stress microfluidic device was conjugated with 6 different antibodies [anti‐CD34, ‐CD31, ‐vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2), ‐CD146, ‐CD45, and ‐von Willebrand factor (vWF)] designed to match the surface antigens on ovine peripheral blood‐derived EPCs. Microfluidic analysis showed a shear‐stress‐dependent decrease in EPC adhesion on attached surface antigens. EPCs exhibited increased adhesion to antibodies against CD34, VEGFR‐2, CD31, and CD146 compared to CD45, consistent with their endothelial cell‐specific surface profile, when exposed to a minimum shear stress of 1.47 dyn/cm2. Bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and artery‐derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells were used to demonstrate the specificity of the EPC microfluidic device. Coated hematopoietic specific‐surface (CD45) and granular vWF antibodies, as well as uncoated bare glass and substrate (1% BSA), were utilized as controls. Microfluidic devices have been developed as an EPC capture platform using immobilized antibodies targeted as EPC surface antigens. This EPC chip may provide a new and effective tool for addressing challenges in cardiovascular disease and tissue engineering.—Plouffe, B. D., Kniazeva, T., Mayer, J. E., Jr., Murthy, S. K., Sales, V. L. Development of microfluidics as endothelial progenitor cell capture technology for cardiovascular tissue engineering and diagnostic medicine. FASEB J. 23, 3309–3314 (2009). www.fasebj.org