Introduction: Hypertension is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) is strongly involved in blood pressure homeostasis. TPR is primarily determined by resistance arteries (RAs). Pathogenic factors which change RA structure are associated with cardiovascular disease. Despite this, methods employed in the study of RAs lack efficiency. Methods: A polymer microfluidic device (Artery-on-a-Chip Device, AoC) made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was developed. RAs from CD1 mice were measured on the device. Their responses to phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine (Ach), FURA-2 imaging, and 24-h culture were assessed. Results: Following several modifications, vessel function on the AoC device was successfully measured. Robust PE constriction and Ach-induced vasodilation were observed. AoC arteries were viable after 24-hour culture, and FURA-2 was successfully imaged. Conclusions: The AoC device is a viable alternative to cannulation myography. The AoC can greatly increase the efficiency of RA studies, while also decreasing training time and difficulty.

Introduction: Hypertension is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) is strongly involved in blood pressure homeostasis. TPR is primarily determined by resistance arteries (RAs). Pathogenic factors which change RA structure are associated with cardiovascular disease. Despite this, methods employed in the study of RAs lack efficiency. Methods: A polymer microfluidic device (Artery-on-a-Chip Device, AoC) made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was developed. RAs from CD1 mice were measured on the device. Their responses to phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine (Ach), FURA-2 imaging, and 24-h culture were assessed. Results: Following several modifications, vessel function on the AoC device was successfully measured. Robust PE constriction and Ach-induced vasodilation were observed. AoC arteries were viable after 24-hour culture, and FURA-2 was successfully imaged. Conclusions: The AoC device is a viable alternative to cannulation myography. The AoC can greatly increase the efficiency of RA studies, while also decreasing training time and difficulty.

The microvasculature has the main function of transport of dissolved gases, nutrients and waste between blood and tissue. Systematically probing transvascular transport rates in these vessels under well defined conditions is challenging. In vivo and in vitro studies are characterized, respectively, by limited optical access and control over perfusion concentrations and failure to resemble the structure and function of an intact organ. In this thesis, I present the development of a microfluidic platform for investigating molecular transport across mouse mesenteric arteries (150-300μm diameter) in a controlled physico-chemical microenvironment. Intact vessels are perfused with 4 kDa FITC-Dextran and the permeation coefficient of this molecule across the vessel wall is quantified using laser scanning confocal microscopy paired with a 2-D numerical model. Functional viability of the examined vessel, through phenylephrine and acetylcholine dose responses, is probed, and shear and phototoxic effects are reported.

The microvasculature has the main function of transport of dissolved gases, nutrients and waste between blood and tissue. Systematically probing transvascular transport rates in these vessels under well defined conditions is challenging. In vivo and in vitro studies are characterized, respectively, by limited optical access and control over perfusion concentrations and failure to resemble the structure and function of an intact organ. In this thesis, I present the development of a microfluidic platform for investigating molecular transport across mouse mesenteric arteries (150-300μm diameter) in a controlled physico-chemical microenvironment. Intact vessels are perfused with 4 kDa FITC-Dextran and the permeation coefficient of this molecule across the vessel wall is quantified using laser scanning confocal microscopy paired with a 2-D numerical model. Functional viability of the examined vessel, through phenylephrine and acetylcholine dose responses, is probed, and shear and phototoxic effects are reported.