Cell-based biosensors for inflammatory agents detection

In this work the electrical properties of human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers have been studied by electrical impedance spectroscopy in real time. The cells were cultured on arrays of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes functionalized with collagen which are both transparent and highly sensitive due to the absence of an insulating oxide layer. We analyzed the impedance spectra in terms of equivalent circuits of the ITO/collagen/electrolyte and ITO/collagen/cell monolayer/electrolyte interface. The adhesion state of the cells can be analysed locally with reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM). We reconstruct the endothelial cell profile on ITO electrodes with the same technique. We analysed the effect of inflammatory agents such as cytochalasin in real time with impedance spectroscopy. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.