Development of a Multi-Channel and Multilayered PDMS Microfluidic Platform for Real-Time Visualization and Multi-Condition Parallel Testing of Mechanically Stimulated Cells

We developed a multi-channel and multilayered polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic platform that integrates cyclic mechanical stimulation, independent reagent delivery, and real-time optical observation within a single device. The platform employs a four-layer architecture comprising a pneumatic valve control layer, an observation channel for cell culture and imaging (24 mm × 4 mm), a medium perfusion layer with independent inlet ports, and a vacuum actuation layer that deforms a 200 μm PDMS membrane under −20 kPa cyclic pressure at 1 Hz. Cyclic membrane strain of 10% was calibrated using fluorescent bead tracking and image analysis. Finite element analysis based on nonlinear Föppl–von Kármán plate theory confirmed that the central cell culture region (60% of membrane area) exhibits a mean von Mises strain of 14.2% with a uniformity of 81.3% (CV = 18.7%), validating relatively uniform mechanical stimulation across the culture surface. As a proof-of-concept, human aortic smooth muscle cells (CRL-1999) cultured under cyclic strain showed significant upregulation of HIF-1α expression (2.5-fold, p<0.01) and pronounced F-actin stress fiber alignment visualized by fluorescence microscopy, confirming the platform’s capability for mechanotransduction studies and real-time cellular observation. The multi-channel architecture enables multi-condition parallel testing by simultaneously introducing different reagent concentrations through independent inlet ports while maintaining identical mechanical parameters across all channels, providing a versatile tool for systematic investigation of cellular responses under controlled biomechanical conditions.