Work

Microfluidic Platform for Multiparametric Profiling of Fibrin Permeability, Fibrinolysis, and Cell Invasion

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Fibrin's dual role, as a transient scaffold guiding wound repair and as a pathogenic matrix in thrombosis, demands tools that can profile how its transport properties, degradability, and cellular remodeling evolve under different biochemical, engineering, and ultimately patient‐specific conditions. Here, we introduce a single‐channel, H‐junction microfluidic platform that enables multiplexed, real‐time quantification of fibrin permeability, fibrinolysis kinetics, fibroblast invasion, and clot extension within the same hydrogel. Using time‐lapse confocal microscopy, the assay captured solute permeability coefficients from 1.98 × 10 −5 to 1.67 × 10 −4 cm 2 ∙s −1 , fibrinolysis half‐times down to 12 min, and cell migration, with quantitative analysis performed in a ∼3 µL gel volume. Systematic variation of fibrinogen concentration (1.5–10 mg∙mL −1 ) and FXIII crosslink density reveals a 3.7‐fold span in permeability, a ninefold shift in lysis rate, and up to 64% suppression of fibroblast penetration, as fibrinogen concentration increases. Because the chip uses standard soft‐lithography and conventional microscopy tools, it can be integrated into existing microphysiological systems or deployed as a high‐throughput screening tool for anticoagulants, pro‐healing therapies, and patient‐specific risk assessment. This versatile platform thus bridges mechanistic fibrin research and translational biomaterials design, opening new avenues for precision thrombosis modelling and regenerative medicine.

Source: Advanced Functional Materials

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202531169