A computer‐controlled system for simulating heat stroke in vitro

Abstract

Heat stroke (HS) is an important civilian and military medical problem. Characterizing the cellular responses to HS is critical for improved diagnosis and treatment of HS. Commonly used in vitro heat “shock” models inadequately represent the physiological stressors experienced by cells during HS in vivo. The objective of this study was to create a high‐precision in vitro system to dynamically expose cultured cells to core‐temperature (Tc; radiotelemetry) profiles exhibited by mice during HS and recovery. We assembled a system consisting of a Peltier plate, feedback controller, thermistor probe and custom software to expose cultured cells to mouse Tc profiles. HepG2 cells and primary mouse and rat hepatocytes were maintained on the Peltier plate in a CO2 incubator with a thermistor probe immersed in a single well for feedback control. Our system replicated mouse Tc profiles with an average error of ~0.3°C. All cell types tolerated heat stress to 42.7°C, with no differences in cell viability or morphology either immediately or 24 hr after heat exposure compared to untreated cells. Our system will support future studies examining cell responses to the temperature and inflammatory stresses that occur during HS. Supported by the Defense Health Program (DHP) in support of the Department of Army (DOA) Systems Biology Enterprise (SBE). Author views not official US Army or DOD policy.