Single-Cell Biophysics: Measurement, Modulation, and Modeling

Single-Cell Biophysics: Measurement, Modulation, and Modeling

Poster Abstracts

39-POS

Board 20

3D Multi-Layered Blood Vessel/Inflamed Tissue Model for the Investigation of T Cell

Tissue Infiltration

HyeMi Kim

, Sang Min Park

, Kwang Hoon Song

, Seongsu Eom

, HyoungJun Park

, Dong

Sung Kim

, Junsang Doh

1,2

POSTECH, Pohang, South Korea,

POSTECH, Pohang,

South Korea.

Leukocyte infiltration, which plays critical roles in tissue inflammation for pathogen clearance

and tumor eradication, is regulated by complex microenvironments in blood vessels, including

inflamed endothelium, blood flow, and perivascular components. However, the role of

perivascular components on the leukocyte infiltration has not been systematically investigated

until recently. In this work, we developed a 3D multi-layered blood vessel/tissue model with a

nanofiber membrane, enabling real-time visualization of dynamic T cell infiltration and

subsequent interaction with perivascular macrophages. We directly fabricate a highly aligned,

free-standing nanofiber membrane with an ultra-thin thickness of ~ 1 μm in a microfluidic

system. Coating the nanofiber membrane with matrigel showed synergetic topographical and

biochemical effects on the reconstitution of a well-aligned endothelial monolayer on the

membrane, which is found in native blood vessels. Fine transparency of the ultra-thin membrane

allowed real-time visualization of T cells that were flowing on endothelial layers, underwent

transendothelial migration and further interacted with perivascular macrophages underneath the

nanofiber membrane. Our 3D multi-layered blood vessel/tissue model will offer a powerful and

versatile tool to investigate the mechanism of T cell tissue infiltration.