173 | Lab-on-chip (LOC) as a tool for parkinson disease diagnosis: preliminary evaluation of neuronal cell culture on LOC

Rosanna Mallamaci¹, Rosangela Cardone¹, Lorenzo Guerra¹, Maria Noemi Sgobba¹, Marilena Ardone¹, Antonio Ancona², Annalisa Volpe^2a, Stefania Caragnano², Salvatore Petralia³, Adriana Trapani⁴ | ¹Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy; ²Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Bari & Politecnico di Bari, Italy; ³Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Italy; ⁴Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide, primarily characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. While the exact pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive, oxidative stress is widely recognized as a primary driver of neuronal degeneration. Currently, radioisotopic imaging offers accurate diagnostic capabilities; however, these methods are inherently invasive and raise environmental and safety concerns due to the use of radiolabeled markers. Consequently, achieving early and non-invasive PD detection has become a critical priority in neurology. In this context, Lab-on-Chip (LOC) devices provide a versatile platform for integrating and miniaturizing complex diagnostic procedures, effectively overcoming the limitations of traditional methodologies. In this study, we present an innovative LOC fabrication approach using femtosecond laser processing, optimized by calibrating the scanning speed (1). Fabricated from transparent, biocompatible polymers, these chips support cell cultures and replicate standard pharmaceutical protocols on a micro-scale. This approach does not only optimize resources by minimizing reagent consumption but also enables the high-fidelity modeling of complex physiological processes, such as the transport of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) across the nasal membrane within a strictly controlled environment. Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OECs) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were selected as model neuronal cell lines to be cultured on the laser-processed LOCs, featuring both pristine surfaces and various functionalized growth interfaces. Cytocompatibility was evaluated via Resazurin assay, which confirmed cell survival across all substrates. Following the assessment of cell viability, the anti-PD drug Anle138b was tested both in its free form and encapsulated within Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (2) as a novel, non-conventional drug delivery system. The results elucidated distinct behavioural patterns between the cell lines, highlighting the influence of both the drug carrier and the surface functionalization. Overall, these findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed laser-based fabrication method and underscore its potential for creating cost-effective, functional microfluidic devices to enhance early diagnostic tools and preventive medical applications for Parkinson’s disease.