A microfluidic device for study of the effect of tumor vascular structures on the flow field and HepG2 cellular flow behaviors

To build a microfluidic device with various morphological features of the tumor vasculature for study of the effects of tumor vascular structures on the flow field and tumor cellular flow behaviors. The designed microfluidic device was able to approximatively simulate the in vivo structures of tumor vessels and the flow within it. In this models, the influences of the angle of bifurcation, the number of branches, and the narrow channels on the flow field and the influence of vorticity on the retention of HepG2 cells were significant. Additionally, shear stress below physiological conditions of blood circulation has considerable effect on the formation of the lumen-like structures (LLSs) of HepG2 cells. These results can provide some data and reference in the understanding of the interaction between hemorheological properties and tumor vascular structures in solid tumors. •A microfluidic device with various morphological features of the tumor vasculature.•A microfluidic device was used to simulate the structures of tumor vessels and the flow within it.•Effect of the structures of tumor vasculature on the retention of HepG2 cells were significant.•Low shear stress promoted the formation of the lumen-like structures of HepG2 cells.