Table 1.
Characterization of the Perfusion Flow System at Flow Rates of 1.3, 5, and 10 mL/min
| Flow rate (mL/min) | Pressure (mmHg) | Permeability (× 10−8 cm2) | Resistance (dyn-s/cm3) | Shear stress (dyn/cm2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No collagen, membrane w/holes | 1.3 | 0.02 ± 0.19 | 0.76 ± 1.66 | 0.001 ± 0.01 | |
| 5 | 0.01 ± 0.09 | 1.49 ± 1.31 | 0.001 ± 0.0001 | ||
| 10 | 0.1 ± 0.2 | 1.61 ± 0.82 | 0.001 ± 0.001 | ||
| Collagen gels seeded w/3 × 106 RAECs/mL | 1.3 | 0.92 ± 0.37 | 0.74 ± 0.32 | 0.06 ± 0.02 | 1.9 ± 0.4 |
| 5 | 1.95 ± 0.37 | 1.18 ± 0.24 | 0.03 ± 0.007 | 5.51 ± 0.54 | |
| 10 | 4.57 ± 0.73 | 0.99 ± 0.17 | 0.04 ± 0.007 | 11.96 ± 0.99 |
Collagen gels were constructed with using 3 × 106 RAECs/mL and were tested after 3 days of culture. Pressure difference with or without the collagen gel (just the PET membrane) were measured, and the permeability and resistance of the flow system were calculated. Shear stress applied to the cells within the collagen gel construct was estimated using Equation 3.
RAEC, rat aortic endothelial cell.