Figure 3.

The COX-2 pathway mediates perfusion-enhanced stromal decidualization in an OoC co-culture model. (A) Immunofluorescent (IF) staining for COX-2 in perfused (1 μL/min) microfluidic co-culture devices demonstrates increased expression of COX-2 in the endothelial cells compared to static conditions (original magnification ×4 and ×20). (B) Subsequent secretion of prostaglandins such as PGI₂ and PGE₂ in microfluidic co-cultures under flow compared to static conditions. (C and D) Enhanced decidualization can be inhibited with administration of indomethacin (INDO, 100 μM) in the endothelial chamber of the co-culture model perfused throughout the 14-day experiment. (C) INDO treated co-cultures have reduced prostaglandins and (D) suppression of perfusion enhanced PRL secretion. P values, *<0.05; ** <0.01; ***<0.001.