In vitro vein valve model for thrombosis research
2023
The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia(1)
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom(2)
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom(2)
Deep vein thrombosis is a life-threatening disease that takes millions of people’s lives worldwide. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro model recapitulating the conditions of venous thrombus development. The model was designed as a microfluidic vein-on-a-chip with moving flexible valve leaflets to mimic the hydrodynamics of a vein. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) were grown as a monolayer to cover the entire surface of the channel, including the valve leaflets. A pulsatile flow pattern, typical for veins, was used in the experiments. Human platelets, reconstituted with whole blood obtained from human volunteers, were shown to accumulate at the luminal side of the leaflet tips proportionally to the leaflet flexibility. Platelet activation by thrombin induced robust platelet accrual at the leaflet tips. Blockade of the interaction between platelets and von Willebrand factor completely abolished platelet deposition.
The developed model could be useful in venous thrombosis research.
Platelet accumulation in an endothelium-coated elastic vein valve model of deep vein thrombosis is mediated by GPIbα—VWF interaction
Daniele Vigolo(1), Alexander Brill(2)
Added on: 05-22-2023
[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1167884/full
Lush Prize Winner 2022
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