A new design of coculture microfluidic chip for HepG2 and LO2 cells

Objective

In order to better screen targeted drugs, a microfluidic chip that can culture both diseased and normal cells is designed.

Methods

With Human hepatocellular carcinomas (HepG2) and Human normal liver cells (LO2) as the cell models, Polydimethylsiloxane-glass (PDMS-glass) chip as the carrier, and potential anticancer drug sanguinarine as the research object, two cells were co-cultured on the chip and the drug acted on both cells simultaneously in a diffusion manner.

Results

In co-cultured cell chips, the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells was significantly higher than that of LO2 cells under the action of sanguinarine.

Conclusion

The chip diffusion perfusion form does not damage the cells, and can achieve cell staining and in situ observation more flexibly and conveniently, and more realistically reflects the selective effect of drugs on different cells, which has the advantages of simple operation and low cost.