Name: a lab-on-a-chip platform for stimulating osteocyte mechanotransduction and analyzing functional outcomes of bone remodeling
Uploaded: 2020-05-21T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Lab-On-A-Chip Platform for Stimulating Osteocyte Mechanotransduction and Analyzing Functional Outcomes of Bone Remodeling at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. (CBET 1060990 and EBMS 1700299). Also, this material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (2018250692). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

1. Chip mask preparation
NOTE: Steps 1.1 - 1.3 only need to be performed once upon initial receipt of the chip mask. They ensure the mask does not bow during use. The design of the microfluidic masks was previously described11,14. Masks were designed in-house and commercially fabricated using high resolution stereolithography (Figure 1A).
<ol>
	<li>Cover the top surface of the mask with ...

<ol>
	<li>Hemmatian, H., Bakker, A. D., Klein-Nulend, J., van Lenthe, G. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aging,+Osteocytes,+and+Mechanotransduction.">Aging, Osteocytes, and Mechanotransduction.</a> Current Osteoporosis Reports. 15 (5), 401-411 (2017).</li><li>Bonewald, L. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+amazing+osteocyte.">The amazing osteocyte.</a> Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 26 (2), 229-238 (2011).</li><li>Middleton, K., Al-Dujaili, S., Mei, X., Gunther, A., You, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microfluidic+co-culture+platform+for+investigating+osteocyte-osteoclast+signalling+during+fluid+shear+stress+mechanostimulation.">Microfluidic co-culture platform for investigating osteocyte-osteoclast signalling during fluid shear stress mechanostimulation.</a> Journal of Biomechanics. 59, 35-42 (2017).</li><li>Kou, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+multishear+microfluidic+device+for+quantitative+analysis+of+calcium+dynamics+in+osteoblasts.">A multishear microfluidic device for quantitative analysis of calcium dynamics in osteoblasts.</a> Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 408 (2), 350-355 (2011).</li><li>Ma, H. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+microfluidic+chip-based+co-culture+of+fibroblast-like+synoviocytes+with+osteoblasts+and+osteoclasts+to+test+bone+erosion+and+drug+evaluation.">A microfluidic chip-based co-culture of fibroblast-like synoviocytes with osteoblasts and osteoclasts to test bone erosion and drug evaluation.</a> Royal Society Open Science. 5 (9), 180528 (2018).</li><li>Jang, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+an+osteoblast-based+3D+continuous-perfusion+microfluidic+system+for+drug+screening.">Development of an osteoblast-based 3D continuous-perfusion microfluidic system for drug screening.</a> Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 390 (3), 825-832 (2008).</li><li>Yu, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+microfluidic-based+multi-shear+device+for+investigating+the+effects+of+low+fluid-induced+stresses+on+osteoblasts.">A microfluidic-based multi-shear device for investigating the effects of low fluid-induced stresses on osteoblasts.</a> PLOS ONE. 9 (2), e89966 (2014).</li><li>Hwang, P. W., Horton, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variable+osteogenic+performance+of+MC3T3-E1+subclones+impacts+their+utility+as+models+of+osteoblast+biology.">Variable osteogenic performance of MC3T3-E1 subclones impacts their utility as models of osteoblast biology.</a> Scientific Reports. 9 (1), 8299 (2019).</li><li>Beier, E. E., Holz, J. D., Sheu, T. J., Puzas, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elevated+lifetime+lead+exposure+impedes+osteoclast+activity+and+produces+an+increase+in+bone+mass+in+adolescent+mice.">Elevated lifetime lead exposure impedes osteoclast activity and produces an increase in bone mass in adolescent mice.</a> Toxicological Sciences. 149 (2), 277-288 (2016).</li><li>Chaudhary, L. R., Hofmeister, A. M., Hruska, K. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+growth+factor+control+of+bone+formation+through+osteoprogenitor+differentiation.">Differential growth factor control of bone formation through osteoprogenitor differentiation.</a> Bone. 34 (3), 402-411 (2004).</li><li>George, E. L., Truesdell, S. L., York, S. L., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lab-on-a-chip+platforms+for+quantification+of+multicellular+interactions+in+bone+remodeling.">Lab-on-a-chip platforms for quantification of multicellular interactions in bone remodeling.</a> Experimental Cell Research. 365 (1), 106-118 (2018).</li><li>Truesdell, S. L., George, E. L., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular+considerations+for+optimizing+bone+cell+culture+and+remodeling+in+a+lab-on-a-chip+platform.">Cellular considerations for optimizing bone cell culture and remodeling in a lab-on-a-chip platform.</a> Biotechniques. , (2019).</li><li>Truesdell, S. L., George, E. L., Seno, C. E., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+printed+loading+device+for+inducing+cellular+mechanotransduction+via+matrix+deformation.">3D printed loading device for inducing cellular mechanotransduction via matrix deformation.</a> Experimental Mechanics. 59 (8), 1223-1232 (2019).</li><li>George, E. L., Truesdell, S. L., Magyar, A. L., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+mechanically+loaded+osteocytes+and+inflammation+on+bone+remodeling+in+a+bisphosphonate-induced+environment.">The effects of mechanically loaded osteocytes and inflammation on bone remodeling in a bisphosphonate-induced environment.</a> Bone. 127, 460-473 (2019).</li><li>George, E. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Quantifying the roles of stimulated osteocytes and inflammation in bone remodeling Doctor of Philosophy. , (2019).</li><li>York, S. L., Sethu, P., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+osteocytic+microdamage+and+viability+quantification+using+a+microloading+platform.">In vitro osteocytic microdamage and viability quantification using a microloading platform.</a> Medical Engineering &amp; Physics. 38 (10), 1115-1122 (2016).</li><li>Hui, A. Y., Wang, G., Lin, B., Chan, W. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microwave+plasma+treatment+of+polymer+surface+for+irreversible+sealing+of+microfluidic+devices.">Microwave plasma treatment of polymer surface for irreversible sealing of microfluidic devices.</a> Lab Chip. 5 (10), 1173-1177 (2005).</li><li>Millare, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dependence+of+the+quality+of+adhesion+between+poly(dimethylsiloxane)+and+glass+surfaces+on+the+conditions+of+treatment+with+oxygen+plasma.">Dependence of the quality of adhesion between poly(dimethylsiloxane) and glass surfaces on the conditions of treatment with oxygen plasma.</a> Langmuir. 24 (22), 13218-13224 (2008).</li><li>Lee, J. N., Park, C., Whitesides, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solvent+compatibility+of+poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based+microfluidic+devices.">Solvent compatibility of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic devices.</a> Analytical Chemistry. 75 (23), 6544-6554 (2003).</li><li>Regehr, K. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biological+implications+of+polydimethylsiloxane-based+microfluidic+cell+culture.">Biological implications of polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidic cell culture.</a> Lab Chip. 9 (15), 2132-2139 (2009).</li><li>Wang, Y., Burghardt, T. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Uncured+PDMS+inhibits+myosin+in+vitro+motility+in+a+microfluidic+flow+cell.">Uncured PDMS inhibits myosin in vitro motility in a microfluidic flow cell.</a> Analytical Biochemistry. 563, 56-60 (2018).</li><li>Millet, L. J., Stewart, M. E., Sweedler, J. V., Nuzzo, R. G., Gillette, M. U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microfluidic+devices+for+culturing+primary+mammalian+neurons+at+low+densities.">Microfluidic devices for culturing primary mammalian neurons at low densities.</a> Lab Chip. 7 (8), 987-994 (2007).</li><li>Kilic, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Brain-on-a-chip+model+enables+analysis+of+human+neuronal+differentiation+and+chemotaxis.">Brain-on-a-chip model enables analysis of human neuronal differentiation and chemotaxis.</a> Lab Chip. 16 (21), 4152-4162 (2016).</li><li>Van Scoy, G. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+cellular+automata+model+of+bone+formation.">A cellular automata model of bone formation.</a> Mathematical Biosciences. 286, 58-64 (2017).</li><li>Truesdell, S. L., Saunders, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bone+remodeling+platforms:+Understanding+the+need+for+multicellular+lab-on-a-chip+systems+and+predictive+agent-based+models.">Bone remodeling platforms: Understanding the need for multicellular lab-on-a-chip systems and predictive agent-based models.</a> Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering. 17 (2), 1233-1252 (2020).</li></ol>

This article describes the foundations for fabricating a bone remodeling LOC platform for culturing osteocytes, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. By altering the depth and size of the well within the chip, multiple configurations were developed for stimulating osteocytes with mechanical load and quantifying functional outcomes of bone remodeling (Figure 1B).
During chip assembly, optimizing the plasma oxidation protocol was critical for eliminating le...

Bone is a highly dynamic tissue that requires intricate coordination among the three major cell types: osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts. Multicellular interactions among these cells are responsible for the bone loss that occurs during paralysis and long-term immobility and for the bone formation that occurs in response to growth and exercise. Osteocytes, the most abundant bone cell type, are highly sensitive to mechanical stimuli applied to the bone. Mechanical stimulation alters osteocyte metabolic activity and leads to an increase in key signaling molecules1,2. Through this process, known as mechanotransduction, osteocytes can directly coordinate the activities of osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone resorbing cells). Maintaining bone homeostasis requires a tight regulation between bone formation and bone resorption rates; however, disruptions in this process can result in disease states such as osteoporosis or osteopetrosis.
The complexity of interactions between these three cell types lends itself well to investigation utilizing microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies. To that end, our lab has recently established proof of concept of a LOC platform for analyzing bone resorption and formation (functional outcomes) in the bone remodeling process. The platform can be used for the study of cellular interactions, altered loading environments, and investigational drug screening. In recent years, various microfluidic devices have been developed for investigating the molecular signaling pathways that regulate bone remodeling; however, many of these systems quantify remodeling through indirect markers that are indicative of functional activity3,4,5,6,7. An advantage of our system is that it can be used for direct quantification of functional outcomes. Bone remodeling is a long-term process. As such, direct quantification of bone resorption and formation requires a culturing system that can be maintained for a minimum of several weeks to months8,9,10,11. Thus, when developing the LOC platform, we established long-term culturing protocols necessary for formation and resorption and have maintained cells within the system for up to seven weeks11. Additionally, we incorporated appropriate culturing substrates for both cell types into the platform; osteoclasts were cultured directly on bone, and osteoblasts, which are known to be plastic adherent, were cultured on polystyrene discs. Further, we addressed issues concerning sterility, long-term cytotoxicity and chip disassembly for remodeling analysis11,12.
The LOC platform can also be used to induce osteocyte mechanotransduction through matrix deformation. A 3D printed mechanical loading device was developed to pair with the LOC and apply a static out of plane distention to stretch the cells13. To accommodate this mechanical load, the depth of the well within the LOC was increased. This small scale, simple mechanical loading device can be easily produced by labs with limited engineering experience, and we have previously shared drawings of the 3D printed components13. In the current work, we demonstrate some of the novel techniques necessary for the successful use of the LOC. Specifically, we demonstrate chip fabrication, cell seeding on functional substrates, mechanical loading and chip disassembly for remodeling quantification. We believe that the explanation of these techniques benefit from a visual format.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Acrylic sheet</td>
			<td>Optix</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>3.175 mm thick</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Angled dispensing tips</td>
			<td>Jensen Global</td>
			<td>JG18-0.5X-90</td>
			<td>Remove plastic connector prior to use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy punch</td>
			<td>Robbins Instruments</td>
			<td>RBP-10</td>
			<td>1 mm diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bone wafers</td>
			<td>Boneslices.com</td>
			<td>0.4 mm thick</td>
			<td>Bovine cortical bone</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine calf serum</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30072</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calipers</td>
			<td>Global Industrial</td>
			<td>T9F534164</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell spatula</td>
			<td>TPP</td>
			<td>99010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chip mask</td>
			<td>ProtoLabs</td>
			<td>Custom-designed</td>
			<td>Print material: Accura SL 5530</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cork borer</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>07-865-10B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton tipped applicator</td>
			<td>Puritan</td>
			<td>806-WCL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Culture dish (100 mm)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430591</td>
			<td>Sterile, Non-tissue culture treated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Culture dish (150 mm)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430597</td>
			<td>Sterile, Non-tissue culture treated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double sided tape</td>
			<td>3M Company</td>
			<td>Scotch 237</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30910</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-327379</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leveling box</td>
			<td>Custom-made</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>3D printed</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masking tape</td>
			<td>3M Company</td>
			<td>Scoth 2600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-2593</td>
			<td>Subclone 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mechanical loading device</td>
			<td>Custom-made</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>3D printed</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Minimum essential alpha medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>12571-063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MLO-Y4 osteocytes</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>Gift from Dr. Lynda Bonewald</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Packaging tape</td>
			<td>Duck Brand</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>Standard packaging tape</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraffin film</td>
			<td>Bemis Parafilm</td>
			<td>PM999</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>p4333</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasma cleaner</td>
			<td>Harrick Plasma</td>
			<td>PDC-001</td>
			<td>Expanded plasma cleaner</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polydimethylsiloxane kit</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>Sylgard 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polystyrene coverslips</td>
			<td>Nunc Thermanox</td>
			<td>174942</td>
			<td>Sterile, tissue culture treated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oven</td>
			<td>Quincy Lab</td>
			<td>12-180</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RAW264.7 preosteoclasts</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>TIB-71</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel</td>
			<td>BD Medical</td>
			<td>372611</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicone tubing</td>
			<td>Saint-Gobain Tygon</td>
			<td>ABW00001</td>
			<td>ID: 1/32&#34; (0.79 mm), OD: 3/32&#34; (2.38 mm)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SolidWorks software</td>
			<td>Dassault Syst&#232;mes</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>Used to generate 3D printed models and perform FEA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spray adhesive</td>
			<td>Loctite</td>
			<td>2323879</td>
			<td>Multi-purpose adhesive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe (5 ml)</td>
			<td>BD Medical</td>
			<td>309646</td>
			<td>Sterile</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe pump</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>70-2213</td>
			<td>Pump 11 Pico Plus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tapered laboratory spatula</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>21-401-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Two-part expoxy</td>
			<td>Loctite</td>
			<td>1395391</td>
			<td>5 minute quick set</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Type I collagen</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>354236</td>
			<td>Rat tail collagen</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vacuum desiccator</td>
			<td>Bel-Art</td>
			<td>F42010-0000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Waterproof sealant</td>
			<td>Gorilla</td>
			<td>8090001</td>
			<td>100% silicone sealant</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a lab-on-a-chip platform for stimulating osteocyte mechanotransduction and analyzing functional outcomes of bone remodeling

Bone remodeling is a tightly regulated process that is required for skeletal growth and repair as well as adapting to changes in the mechanical environment. During this process, mechanosensitive osteocytes regulate the opposing responses between the catabolic osteoclasts and anabolic osteoblasts. To better understand the highly intricate signaling pathways that regulate this process, our lab has developed a foundationary lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platform for analyzing functional outcomes (formation and resorption) of bone remodeling within a small scale system. As bone remodeling is a lengthy process that occurs on the order of weeks to months, we developed long-term cell culturing protocols within the system. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were grown on functional activity substrates within the LOC and maintained for up to seven weeks. Afterward, chips were disassembled to allow for the quantification of bone formation and resorption. Additionally, we have designed a 3D printed mechanical loading device that pairs with the LOC platform and can be used to induce osteocyte mechanotransduction by deforming the cellular matrix. We have optimized cell culturing protocols for osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts within the LOC platform and have addressed concerns of sterility and cytotoxicity. Here, we present the protocols for fabricating and sterilizing the LOC, seeding cells on functional substrates, inducing mechanical load, and disassembling the LOC to quantify endpoint results. We believe that these techniques lay the groundwork for developing a true organ-on-a-chip for bone remodeling.

The shallow-well configuration can be used for analyzing functional activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Bone formation via osteoblasts and resorption via osteoclasts requires culturing times on the order of several weeks to months. Bone formation from MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts was quantified using alizarin red and von Kossa stains11,15. At day 49, the average surface area stained with alizarin red was 10.7% &#177; 2.2% (mean &...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Lab-On-A-Chip Platform for Stimulating Osteocyte Mechanotransduction and Analyzing Functional Outcomes of Bone Remodeling at JoVE.com

A Lab-On-A-Chip Platform for Stimulating Osteocyte Mechanotransduction and Analyzing Functional Outcomes of Bone Remodeling

Here, we present protocols for analyzing bone remodeling within a lab-on-a-chip platform. A 3D printed mechanical loading device can be paired with the platform to induce osteocyte mechanostransduction by deforming the cellular matrix. The platform can also be used to quantify bone remodeling functional outcomes from osteoclasts and osteoblasts (resorption/formation).

Bone remodeling is a tightly regulated process that is required for skeletal growth and repair as well as adapting to changes in the mechanical ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Axon Stretch Growth: The Mechanotransduction of Neuronal Growth

During pre-synaptic embryonic development, neuronal processes traverse short distances to reach their targets via growth cone. Over time, neuronal somata ...

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, ...

A Versatile Automated Platform for Micro-scale Cell Stimulation Experiments

Study of cells in culture (in vitro analysis) has provided important insight into complex biological systems. Conventional methods and equipment for in ...

Preparation of Hydroxy-PAAm Hydrogels for Decoupling the Effects of Mechanotransduction Cues

It is now well established that many cellular functions are regulated by interactions of cells with physicochemical and mechanical cues of their ...

A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

Tools that allow the application of mechanical forces to cells and tissues or that can quantify the mechanical properties of biological tissues have ...

Gradient Strain Chip for Stimulating Cellular Behaviors in Cell-laden Hydrogel

Artificial guidance for cellular alignment is a hot topic in the field of tissue engineering. Most of the previous research has investigated single ...

A Microfluidic Platform for High-throughput Single-cell Isolation and Culture

Studying the heterogeneity of single cells is crucial for many biological questions, but is technically difficult. Thus, there is a need for a simple, yet ...

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Microfluidic processing of biological samples typically involves differential manipulations of suspended particles under various force fields in order to ...

Assembly and Tracking of Microbial Community Development within a Microwell Array Platform

The development of microbial communities depends on a combination of complex deterministic and stochastic factors that can dramatically alter the spatial ...

Fabrication and Validation of an Organ-on-chip System with Integrated Electrodes to Directly Quantify Transendothelial Electrical Resistance

Organs-on-chips, in vitro models involving the culture of (human) tissues inside microfluidic devices, are rapidly emerging and promise to provide useful ...