Designing and Constructing the Microfluidic System and Evaluating its Ability to Produce IL-2 by Jurkat Cells

Background and Microfluidic systems are microstructures that could be used to improve the conventional cell culture protocols used in laboratories. The aim of this research was to design and construct the microfluidic system and evaluating its ability to produce IL-2 by jurkat cells. At first، the sketch of microfluidic canals was designed by Corel draw and was built on poly dimethyl siloxan using soft lithography. After embedding entry and exit pores، it was attached to glass slide via oxygen plasma technique. It was then connected to a pump containing RPMI1640 culture medium by 3 μL/hour speed. Afterwards، Jurkat cells were inoculated in the system. In the course of incubation، a continuous flow of culture medium and stimulants were encountered with cells in system canals. Simultaneously، the cells were cultured in flasks regarding proliferation and IL-2 production. The cultured cells were then compared with microfluidic system. The rate of proliferation and IL-2 production by jurkat cells was about twice in microfluidic system compared with that of the conventional cell culturing method and the system did not show negative effect on cell viability. Microfluidic system can create a condition similar to the in-vivo for proliferation and production of cell culture products due to dynamic condition resulted from continuous flow of food and waste removal. Moreover، this system showed higher performance and consumed less culture medium and materials، so it could be used as an alternative method for conventional cell cultures.