Preparation of PET/PDMS/Collagen nanofibrous membrane embedded in a microfluidic device for cell culture

Abstract Electrospun nanofibers can be used as membranes for cell culture applications. In addition to their high performance and cost-effectiveness, nanofibers can be made from a variety of polymers where that can be utilized in microfluidic devices as separators, filters, and for biological assessments. In this paper, we have employed a two-pump technique to prepare a hybrid nanofiber-based membrane with a biocompatible polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and collagen. The introduction of collagen creates a suitable substrate for cell attachment and decreased hydrophobicity. To sustain collagen on the fibers, the membranes were treated with glutaraldehyde vapor and then detoxified. The membrane integrity and structure were evaluated using SEM, AFM, FTIR, BET, and tensile apparatus. In addition, cell attachment capabilities and cytocompatibility were examined using SEM and Alamar Blue, respectively. The membrane was cased in a PDMS-based microfluidic device consisting of upper and lower channels. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of PET and PDMS indeed presents a superior bonding capability and prevents unwanted leakage. Then, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were cultured on the proposed membrane inside the upper channel of the device. To simulate the dynamic environment and induce cellular shear stress, the culture medium was flown through the channel and the conditions were kept overnight inside an incubator. Cellular staining by DAPI and further evaluation of cellular adhesion suggest that cells were well attached and viable inside the microfluidic device. The proposed membrane can be employed in fabrication of various biological barriers on-a-chip for the purpose of screening drugs, examining the effects of nanomaterials, and creation of in-vitro disease models.