An LCD 3D-printed microphysiological system with deflectable extracellular matrix thin films

Abstract Microphysiological systems (MPS) have emerged as promising models to better recapitulate in vivo microenvironments, but they often rely on manufacturing techniques that limit their scalability and constrain non-trivial three-dimensional architectures. Here, LCD 3D printing was used to fabricate an MPS capable of microfluidic flow, physiologically relevant cyclic strain, and resistance to rhodamine absorption. The device contains a thin, permeable (readily up to ~70 kDa) extracellular matrix (ECM) substrate ( ~5 µm dehydrated) that can sustain NCI-H441 lung epithelial cells for a period of at least one week. This microfabrication strategy may be extended to different organ systems, enabling researchers to fabricate MPS with more complex designs.