Design criteria and standardization of a microfluidic cell culture system for investigating cellular migration

Abstract

Cellular migration sustains life, from the survival and proliferation of unicellular organisms to the complex biological functions of multicellular organisms. In vitro cell culture has been used to specify and investigate a certain aspect of cellular migration. The in vitro studies require a cell culture system which can compartmentalize multiple types of stimuli and cells while allowing their interaction in a precisely controlled microenvironment. The required precision in the fabrication and control can be accomplished with microfluidic technologies. To date, microfluidic cell culture systems (MCCSs) have demonstrated unprecedented functionality, but no notable system has become a standard. In this review, recent progress in MCCSs is evaluated in a category of design criteria. The main criteria are the incorporation of extracellular matrix protein, fluidic actuation, control of cell culture conditions, analytical methods, and system packaging. In particular, these categorized systems are reviewed in terms of functionality, user-friendliness and reliability. The design criteria proposed in this review will serve as a guideline for designing an MCCSs or organ-on-a-chip with maximum functionality, user-friendliness and reliability for an intended study of cellular migration.