Tian Tian

Dr. Tian Tian


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
18 May 2022 in Biosensors
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LJLai Di Jin
Lai Di Jin
NKNi Kou
Ni Kou
FAFan An
Fan An
ZGZehang Gao
Zehang Gao
TTTian Tian
Tian Tian
HLHuiying Liu
Huiying Liu
The gingival epithelium–capillary interface is a unique feature of periodontal soft tissue, preserving periodontal tissue homeostasis and preventing microorganism and toxic substances from entering the subepithelial tissue. However, the function of the interface is disturbed in periodontitis, and mechanisms of the breakdown of the interface are incompletely understood. To address these limitations, we developed a microfluidic epithelium–capillary barrier with a thin culture membrane (10 μm) that closely mimics the in vivo gingival epithelial barrier with an immune micro-environment. To test the validity of the fabricated gingival epithelial barrier model, epithelium–capillary interface-on-a-chip was cultured with human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) and human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). Their key properties were tested using optical microscope, transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), and permeability assays. The clear expression of VE-cadherin revealed the tight junctions in endothelial cells. Live/dead assays indicated a high cell viability, and the astrocytic morphology of HGE cells was confirmed by F-actin immunostaining. By the third day of cell culture, TEER levels typically exceeded in co-cultures. The resultant permeability coefficients showed a significant difference between 70 kDa and 40 kDa FITC-dextran. The expression of protein intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and human beta defensin-2 (HBD2) decreased when exposed to TNF-α and LPS, but recovered with the NF-κB inhibitor treatment- Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamic acid (PDTC), indicating the stability of the fabricated chip. These results demonstrate that the developed epithelium-capillary interface system is a valid model for studying periodontal soft tissue function and drug delivery.