VascuFlow Vessel-on-Chip

VascuFlow Vessel-on-Chip is a state-of-the-art microfluidic platform designed for constructing physiologically relevant vascularized tumor microenvironment models. The chip features a ring-shaped perfusion vessel channel connected to 4-6 branch culture units, enabling co-culture of endothelial cells with tumor cells, organoids, or stromal cells under dynamic flow conditions.

The innovative ring perfusion design mimics in vivo vascular architecture, providing continuous nutrient delivery and waste removal through the central vessel while maintaining independent culture chambers for tumor modeling. The open-top design allows easy cell seeding, medium exchange, and real-time monitoring via the optically transparent imaging window.

Manufactured from biocompatible, optically transparent materials, VascuFlow supports high-resolution fluorescence imaging, confocal microscopy, and time-lapse imaging. The chip is compatible with standard syringe pumps, peristaltic pumps, and automated perfusion systems. Each box contains 4 sterile, ready-to-use chips with a shelf life of 12 months.

VascuFlow enables researchers to study angiogenesis, tumor-endothelial interactions, drug vascular permeability, and anti-angiogenic therapy responses in a physiologically relevant 3D microenvironment that bridges the gap between conventional 2D culture and animal models.

The VascuFlow Vessel-on-Chip serves multiple critical functions in cancer research and drug development:

1. **Vascularized Tumor Modeling**: Co-culture endothelial cells with tumor cells or patient-derived organoids to recreate the tumor microvascular network, enabling studies of tumor angiogenesis, vascular mimicry, and tumor-endothelial crosstalk.

2. **Angiogenesis Studies**: Monitor sprouting angiogenesis from embedded endothelial spheroids or pre-formed vessel networks in response to pro- or anti-angiogenic factors (VEGF, bFGF, bevacizumab, etc.).

3. **Drug Permeability Assessment**: Evaluate drug transport across the endothelial barrier under flow conditions, providing pharmacokinetic data relevant to tumor drug delivery and vascular permeability.

4. **Anti-Angiogenic Drug Screening**: Test anti-angiogenic therapies (VEGF inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors) by monitoring vessel regression and tumor response in an integrated vascularized tumor model.

5. **Metastasis Research**: Model intravasation and extravasation processes by introducing circulating tumor cells into the perfusion flow and monitoring their adhesion to and transmigration through the endothelial barrier.

6. **Organoid Vascularization**: Combine with tumor organoid models to create vascularized organoid systems that better recapitulate in vivo tumor architecture and drug response patterns.

7. **Hypoxia and Nutrient Gradient Studies**: The perfusion setup naturally creates oxygen and nutrient gradients across the tumor compartment, enabling studies of tumor hypoxia responses and metabolic adaptation.

**VascuFlow Setup Protocol:**

**Step 1: Chip Preparation**
- Remove chip from sterile packaging in a biosafety cabinet
- Inspect the chip for structural integrity under a stereo microscope
- Rinse channels with sterile PBS to remove any residual storage solution
- Apply ECM coating (fibronectin, collagen, or Matrigel) if required for your cell type
- Incubate at 37 C for 1-2 hours

**Step 2: Endothelial Cell Seeding**
- Prepare endothelial cell suspension at 5x10^5 cells/mL in complete medium
- Inject 50 uL of cell suspension into the ring vessel channel via the inlet port
- Incubate statically at 37 C, 5% CO2 for 4-6 hours to allow cell attachment
- Initiate perfusion at 10 uL/min overnight using a syringe pump

**Step 3: Tumor Cell / Organoid Seeding**
- Prepare tumor cell suspension or organoid fragments
- Seed into branch culture units through the open-top access points
- For organoids, embed in 30-50% Matrigel before seeding
- Incubate statically for 4-6 hours before resuming perfusion

**Step 4: Perfusion Culture**
- Maintain perfusion at 30-50 uL/min for routine culture
- Change medium reservoir daily with pre-warmed fresh medium
- Monitor cell morphology and barrier formation daily by microscopy
- Typical culture duration: 7-14 days

**Step 5: Drug Treatment**
- Add compounds to the medium reservoir at desired concentrations
- For time-course studies, collect perfusate samples at defined intervals
- Perform endpoint analysis (immunofluorescence, viability assays) at experimental endpoints