Osteoarthritis is a degenerative musculoskeletal disease that is partly characterized by inflammation of the affected joint. The purpose of this project is to design, prototype, test, and iteratively refine a microfluidic device that can be used to model the osteoarthritic joint in humans and evaluate the efficacy of various anti-inflammatory molecules. We designed and, using soft lithography, fabricated a PDMS chip that includes input and output ports for syringe pump compatibility and individual channels for culturing cells in three-dimensional alginate hydrogel matrices. Our device features channel geometry that allows for addition and mixing of additional molecules within the device itself. A bottom layer for mechanical stimulation of cell cultures is also included in the device. Such features increase ease of use and applicability to a variety of experimental contexts. In parallel, we investigated and developed a method for optical detection and analysis of inflammation using Alcian blue and Safranin O staining. In order to induce inflammatory conditions such as those found in osteoarthritis, lipopolysaccharides were used, while anti-inflammatory metabolite Urolithin A was used in our proof-of-concept for optical detection. This is modeled in vitro using primarily monolayer cultures in a 24-well format. Upon confirmation of staining efficacy, our prototype was further refined. This device and outcomes of this project help to better our understanding of behavior of chondrocytes in inflammatory environments associated with osteoarthritis and the efficacy of various small molecules and therapeutics in treating the inflammatory component of this debilitating disease.

Our team collaborated with Materials Science & Engineering 7 on this project.