Figure 8.

Bioassay system used to detect the release of EDRF from endothelial cells. Porcine aortic endothelial cells were grown in culture on microcarrier beads (approx. 70 μm), which were packed into a modified chromatographic column. Inset shows an electronmicrograph of a bead covered in endothelial cells. The beads were perfused with Krebs buffer at 37 °C and the perfusate was allowed to flow over the bioassay tissues (four rabbit aortae denuded of endothelium). The time taken for the superfusate to reach the first tissue was 1 s and the gap between each subsequent tissue was 3 s. Reprinted, with permission, from Gryglewski et al. (1986a).