University of Birmingham researchers have developed an in vitro model that recapitulates the conditions of venous thrombus development and can be used to better understand the mechanisms of blood clot formation.
The device, described in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, is a tiny channel that includes structures called “valves” that ensure the correct direction of blood flow.
According to senior author Alexander Brill, “The device is more advanced than previous models because the valves can open and close, mimicking the mechanism seen in a real vein. It also contains a single layer of cells, called endothelial cells, covering the inside of the vessel. These two advances make this vein-on-a-chip a realistic alternative to using animal models in research that focuses on how blood clots form. It is biologically reflective of a real vein, and it also recapitulates blood flow in a life-like manner."
The team was able to demonstrate one of the basic mechanisms underlying venous clot formation using their newly developed model. Namely, the role of a bridge between a molecule called von Willebrand Factor and a surface receptor on platelets called glycoprotein Ib-alpha.
“The principles of the 3Rs—to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research—are embedded in national and international legislation and regulations on the use of animals in scientific procedures. But there is always more that can be done. Innovations such as the new device created for use in thrombosis research are a step in the right direction,” Brill added.