(J-389) Development of an In Vitro Human Model for Simulating an Ischemic Stroke

Introduction:: The use of animal models in research has limitations in modeling human disease accurately. This is especially true when modeling neuropathology. With the use of new cell culture technologies combined with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a perfusion bioreactor was designed to investigate an ischemic stroke. This platform can be the basis for providing novel clinical interventions for improving outcomes for ischemic stroke patients. Replicating both the physiology and pathology of an ischemic stroke is the goal of this project.




Materials and Methods:: Using SOLIDWORKS software, a flow chamber for the bioreactor was designed and fabricated using Biomed Amber Resin. For the initial test, gelatin was cast in the mold. The stiffness was determined using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and compared with those reported in the literature. The flow chamber seeded with titanium dioxide particles (~ 200 nm) was visualized using our lab-built OCT. By using consecutive B-scans to realize double exposure images, particle image velocimetry (PIV) flow visualization was achieved.


Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: Results: The gelatin-filled chamber was shown to be able to successfully mimic the seepage-flow-like perfusion for investigating the neuropathology of an ischemic stroke.



Conclusion: Our preliminary test was successful. The next step in the experimental plan is to cast a collagen hydrogel, with the same stiffness, with a mixture of astrocytes, HUVECS, and neurons into the mold and generate flow in the perfusion bioreactor.


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