FIG. 5.

Coculture system promoted the expression of functional markers in MDCKs. The fluorescent intensity of α1 subunit of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase was increased in MDCKs when applying collagen gel (both of CG and CG-ASC groups) (A). The concentrated acetylated tubulin (Ac-TUB, yellow arrows) indicated the induction of cilia formation in the MDCKs after cocultured with the CG-ASC for 48 h (B). Significant increases of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase intensity (C) and cilia numbers (D) demonstrated the functionalization of epithelial monolayer in the current microfluidic device. Scale bar=50 μm. *Significant difference (p<0.05) from culture only MDCKs. ^#Significant difference (p<0.05) between MDCK+CG and MDCK+CG-ASC.