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Vasculature-on-Chip

An In Vitro Model for Human Vascular Function and Drug Delivery Research

Overview Dynamic42 Vasculature-on-Chip model

The vasculature-on-chip model is a dynamic in vitro system that mimics human vascular microenvironments for the study of drug uptake, immune cell interaction, and vascular transport. Designed to replicate perfused endothelial tissues under physiological shear stress, this model supports research on intravenous drug delivery, nanoparticle behavior, and inflammatory diseases.

By enabling immune cell integration, mechanical stimulation, and modular co-culture with additional vascular cell types, this organ-on-chip platform provides an advanced alternative to traditional in vivo models supporting human-relevant data generation while helping to reduce animal testing.

Vasculature Model Specifications

Cell types

Endothelial cells form the vascular lining; optional inclusion of tissue-resident macrophages, circulating immune cells, smooth muscle cells, or fibroblasts allows for advanced tissue modeling.

Perfusion and biomechanical stimuli

Shear stress and flow rates can be adjusted to model physiological and pathological conditions relevant to the vasculature.

Flexible cell sourcing

Various cell sources can be integrated such as cell lines, patient-derived cells, and iPSC-derived cells at different cell complexities and/or configurations.

Parallelization

Two vascular models can be operated simultaneously on one biochip.

Culture time

Operable for up to 7 days with stable barrier integrity, high tissue viability, and consistent expression of key endothelial markers.

Specifications for Vasculature-on-Chip

The Dynamic42 vasculature-on-chip comprises in one compartment endothelial cells and optionally tissue-resident macrophages. It offers the possibility to include circulating immune cell populations. Perfusion and shear rate values are adaptable. Other cell types such as smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts can be included as well to increase complexity.

The Dynamic42 vasculature-on-chip can be operated with various cell sources. Please get in contact for further details.

macrophage-2

Macrophage

endothelial-cell-2

Endothelial Cell

Two models can be operated in parallel on one Dynamic42 biochip.

Model replicates can be run in parallel on one biochip or chambers can be connected to create a multi-organ model. The vasculature-on-chip model can be operated on the DynamicOrgan® 2-Channel Kit and 2-Channel Kit – precious.

The Dynamic42 Vasculature-on-Chip can be operated up to 7 days with high vitality, stable barrier function and stable marker expression.

Characteristics of Vasculature Model

Enhanced marker expression

Intense cell-cell communication

Physiologic biomechanical stimulation via flow

Secretory function

Immunocompetence

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) display one variant of our model. The cells are stained for von Willebrand factor (vWf) in cyan and CD31 in orange. vWf plays a major role in platelet adhesion and in protective complex formation with factor VIII. CD31 mediates mechano-sensing of biomechanical stimuli and leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall.

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) display one variant of our model. The cells are stained for von Willebrand factor (vWf) in cyan and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in red. VE-cadherin plays a major role as mechano-transducing element at the vessel wall. It is further of vital importance for preserving the integrity of the endothelial lining.

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAOEC) display one variant of our model. The cells are stained for von Willebrand factor (vWf) in green and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in red. vWf plays a major role in platelet adhesion and in protective complex formation with factor VIII. VE-cadherin functions as mechano-transducing element at the vessel wall. It is further of vital importance for preserving the integrity of the endothelial lining.

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAOEC) display one variant of our model. The model has been perfused with CD3 positive T cells stained in cyan. Endothelial cells show vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in red. T cells are heavily involved in immune-mediated events such as infiltration of diseased tissue, co-stimulator dependent activation or drug-mediated side effects.

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAOEC) display one variant of our model. The model has been perfused with CD3 positive T cells stained in cyan. Endothelial cells show CD31 in orange. T cells are heavily involved in immune-mediated events such as infiltration of diseased tissue, co-stimulator dependent activation or drug-mediated side effects.

Slide 1

D42 Vasculature-on-Chip: Human pulmonary aortic endothelial cells (HPAEC) display one variant of our model. Endothelial cells express vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in red and tissue-resident macrophages are visualized by mannose receptor/CD206 staining in cyan.

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Application Areas for Vasculature-on-Chip

  • Uptake and transport studies (e.g., nanoparticles, emulsions)
  • Immune cell trafficking and interaction
  • Antibody recycling and FcRn research
  • Modeling of inflammation and vascular barrier response
  • Infectious disease entry and immune response modeling

Why Use Vasculature-on-Chip?

This vascular organ-on-chip model enables real-time analysis of transport and cellular interaction in a human-relevant, perfused in vitro environment. It supports preclinical research where dynamic endothelial function and immune interactions are critical offering a scalable, human-based organ-on-chip platform as an ethical alternative to animal testing.

Related Products for Vascular Applications

DynamicOrgan® 2-Channel Kit

Mockup_2-ChannelKit
  • Build vascular-on-chip models with perfused endothelium for studies on drug transport, inflammation, and immune cell trafficking
  • Supports antibody recycling, FcRn functionality, and vascular barrier modeling under defined flow conditions
  • Includes all consumables to recreate shear-sensitive endothelial interfaces
More information

DynamicOrgan® 2-Channel Kit – precious

Developer Kits
  • Ideal for setting up microvascular models with low cell demand
  • Kit contains all consumables to build organ models replicating epithelial and endothelial interfaces between tissue compartments
More information

In addition to the kit, you will require a peristaltic pump. If you don’t have one you can order a DynamicOrgan® System and will receive a peristaltic pump in addition to your kit of choice.

Scientist with blue gloves operating an Organ-on-Chip device and tubing inside a laboratory incubator

FAQ – Vasculature-on-Chip Model

What is a Vasculature-on-Chip model?

A vasculature-on-chip model is a microfluidic in vitro system that mimics human vascular tissues under flow conditions. It allows researchers to study transport, immune cell interaction, and inflammation in a controlled, human-relevant environment.

What makes this model different from traditional endothelial cell cultures?

Unlike static cultures, this model provides continuous perfusion, adjustable shear stress, and supports co-culture with immune cells, smooth muscle cells, or fibroblasts offering higher physiological relevance.

What research applications is the Vasculature-on-Chip suitable for?

It is used in drug delivery studies, especially for intravenous compounds, as well as in research on antibody recycling, vascular inflammation, immune cell migration, and infectious disease mechanisms.

How long can the Vasculature-on-Chip be operated?

The system supports culture for up to 7 days with high cell viability, stable barrier function, and reproducible marker expression under perfusion.

Can this model help reduce animal testing?

Yes, it provides a predictive, human-based alternative to animal models in vascular and immune-related research fields making it a valuable animal testing substitute for preclinical applications.

How can I purchase the Vasculature-on-Chip system?

You can set-up a Vasculature-on-Chip model using our DynamicOrgan® System. The System contains a peristatic pump, biochips and consumables. If a pump is available in your lab, you can purchase one of our 2-Channel Kits directly. Please contact us for ordering options and product availability.

Can I order a vascular study as a service?

Yes. We offer contract research services for vascular transport, antibody recycling, and inflammation modeling. More at: ➝ Dynamic 42 services

Is training available for vascular chip applications?

Absolutely. You can join online or in-person trainings via the Dynamic42 Academy. Sign up here: ➝ Dynamic42 Academy

Featured resources

Other resources

Enhanced Drug Safety During Pregnancy: An Innovative Three-Organ Microphysiological System

Learn about an innovative three-organ microphysiological system (MPS) designed to improve drug safety during pregnancy.

Applications of Organ-on-Chip Technology in Biomedical Research and Drug Development

One crucial factor that plays a pivotal role in the success of organ-on-cip models is immunocompetence. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of immunocompetence in organ-on-chip models and how it opens new avenues for advancing medical research.

Introduction to drug discovery and drug development

In this blog we will provide you with an introduction to the drug development process from target validation to post-market surveillance to give you a better understanding on how new drugs are being developed.

Liver-on-a-chip – Revolutionizing assessment of drug-induced liver injury

Summary of our work that established a human liver microphysiological model as an in vitro platform for the evaluation of drug-induced liver injury, published in Nature Scientific Reports. This case study sheds light on the effects of the known hepatotoxic antibiotic trovafloxacin and the commonly used analog levofloxacin on human liver tissue, using an innovative chip-based liver model.

Talk to our research scientists

Explore how vasculature-on-chip can help you model drug transport, inflammation, and immune cell trafficking.