Fig. 7.
Towards functional microvascular networks in vitro. Negative pressure shear flow (3 dyn cm−2) in the bottom channel results in interstitial flow at a rate of 35 µm s−1 and a VEGF gradient from the top channel to the bottom channel. The HUVEC-GFP cells lining the top channel invade towards the HUVEC-dsRed lined bottom channel resulting in the formation of multiple bridging segments. Solid arrow indicated direction of axial shear flow; dashed arrow indicates direction of interstitial flow. Blue gradient bar indicates VEGF gradient from the top channel to the bottom channel. Scale bar is 100 µm.