4DCELL DEVICE

2D Micropatterns (96 well plates, coverslips, dishes) / 3D Gels (Microstructured)

READ-OUTS

• Detection of interaction between virus and cells (e.g. by fluorescence)
• Virus life cycle assessment (e.g. viral replication and spread)
• Cell lysis
• Cell migration

STANDARD CULTURE LIMITATION

Lack of infection models which resemble natural features of cells; Poor characterization of in vitro viral replication and propagation.

MICROPATTERNED INFECTION MODEL BENEFITS

• The 2D and 3D micropatterns provide a confined and controlled space that creates a better environment for viruses to diffuse and infect cells
• Better cell differentiation
• Several pattern sizes and pattern shapes available to allow testing of different cell types (lung epithelial cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells)
• Possibility of performing micropatterned co-cultures

EXAMPLES

(A) Baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells cultured in micropatterned lines (19 h post-plating). (B) Vesicular stomatitis virus infection in micropatterned BHK cells. The dashed line displays the introduction of viral infection. The viral propagation distance (fluorescent labelled viral G protein) was registered at 12h, 36 h, and 42h (C) post-infection [1].

(D) Hepatocyte morphology is preserved when co-cultured with fibroblasts in micropatterns. (E) Micropatterned co-cultures are successfully employed to study in vitro infection of hepatocytes by Plasmodium parasites. This cell culture method can be effectively used to study molecular players involved in viral infection as well as virus drug response [2]. pfHSP70, Plasmodium falciparum heat shock protein.

REFERENCES

[1] Endler, EE. et al.Biotechnol Bioeng. 2003 Mar 20;81(6):719-25.
[2] March, S. et al Nat Protoc. 2015 December; 10(12): 2027–2053.
[3] Kim, JA. et al. Micromachines (Basel) 2018 Sep 21;9(10):482.
[4] Ploss, A. et al. PNAS 2010 February 16; 107 (7) 3141-3145