Immunogenicity Monitoring System Incorporating Microfluidic Cell Chip and Paper-based Analytical Device

With the development of microfluidic chips, there are increasing attempts to integrate cell culture and biomaterial test functions into one chip to supplement experimental animal models [1]. In this study, we developed a simple and easy-to-handle immunogenicity-testing cell chip to evaluate the immunogenicity of biomaterials. On this chip, macrophages were introduced as immunogenicity indicators, and a micro-paper-based analytical device (PAD) was used for optical transducer. In the cell chamber of the developed cell chip, macrophages grow and react to foreign biomaterials. Immune-activated macrophages secrete hydrogen peroxide, which is then transferred to the PAD with single-finger actuation. The hydrogen peroxide molecules reaching the PAD detection zone react with the colorimetric detection substrate, resulting in a color that corresponds to the hydrogen peroxide concentration. With the developed testing chip, the immunogenicity of biomaterials can be determined before administration.