How to culture endothelial cells under shear stress

Artificial capillaries –  0.1µm PVDF hollow fibres

Pulsatile flow conditions for endothelial cells grown in artificial capillaries

The FiberCell Systems 0.1µm hollow fibre module (cat# C2025) enables the culture and study of endothelial cells exposed to pulsatile shear stress in an artificial capillary system. Under conditions that closely mimic the in vivo situation endothelial cells can spread out as a monolayer on the inner surface of the fibres and form tight junctions between cells. This system can be used to study CLL cell transmigration, mechanotransduction effects, interactions with RBC’s etc.

• Artificial capillary system with inner 0.1µm hollow fibre surface area equal to a T75 flask
• Endothelial cells grow to line the inner lumen
• Shear stress of 0.5 to 25 dynes/cm² (pulsatile flow)
• Transendothelial migration of lymphocytes can be studied
• Cells can be recovered for analysis
• Enables recovery of approx. 100 micrograms of RNA from EC’s

Human coronary endothelial cells coating
the internal surface of a PS+ hollow fibre
– Guerkan Sengoelge,
Medical University of Vienna

Attachment of cells to internal walls of fibres

The FiberCell 0.1µm fibres must first be coated with extra-cellular matrix proteins (and/or cytokines and antibodies) to permit the attachment of endothelial cells to the interior wall of the fibre.

Consistent and defined shear stress

The microprocessor controlled FiberCell Systems pump can be programmed to produce consistent and defined amounts of shear stress by regulating the flow of medium over the cells. This allows the study of endothelial cells in a more physiologic environment when compared to other methods.

Example application: In vitro model for lymphocyte transmigration

Data generated by a UK lab using the FiberCell C2025 cartridge and Duet pulsatile pump showed that the system enables  a novel, dynamic, and tractable in vitro model of lymphocyte migration. Also the results confirmed that CD49d is a critical regulator of lymphocyte migration in CLL. See reference below.

Co-culturing endothelial cells with smooth muscle cells…etc.

The microporous nature of the fibres and the ability to control the extra-cellular matrix provides an ideal system for cellular co-cultivation with other cell types such as vascular smooth muscle or neuroglia.