Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
In Vitro and In Vivo Model to Study Bacterial Adhesion to the Vessel Wall Under Flow Conditions
Published on: June 11, 2015
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrates wall
Kayla D Viegas1, Sharul S Dol, M Mehdi Salek
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Background:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an increasingly prevalent pathogen capable of causing severe vascular infections. The goal of this work was to investigate the role of shear stress in early adhesion events.
Methods:
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to MRSA for 15-60 minutes and shear stresses of 0-1.2 Pa in a parallel plate flow chamber system. Confocal microscopy stacks were captured and analyzed to assess the number of MRSA. Flow chamber parameters were validated using micro-particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics modelling (CFD).
Results:
Under static conditions, MRSA adhered to, and were internalized by, more than 80% of HUVEC at 15 minutes, and almost 100% of the cells at 1 hour. At 30 minutes, there was no change in the percent HUVEC infected between static and low flow (0.24 Pa), but a 15% decrease was seen at 1.2 Pa. The average number of MRSA per HUVEC decreased 22% between static and 0.24 Pa, and 37% between 0.24 Pa and 1.2 Pa. However, when corrected for changes in bacterial concentration near the surface due to flow, bacteria per area was shown to increase at 0.24 Pa compared to static, with a subsequent decline at 1.2 Pa.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that MRSA adhesion to endothelial cells is strongly influenced by flow conditions and time, and that MSRA adhere in greater numbers to regions of low shear stress. These areas are common in arterial bifurcations, locations also susceptible to generation of atherosclerosis.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) adhesion to endothelial cells is reduced by high shear stress. MRSA bacteria adhere in greater numbers to low shear stress regions, common in arterial bifurcations.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Disease Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant cause of vascular infections.
- Understanding early adhesion events is crucial for preventing MRSA-related complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of shear stress on early MRSA adhesion to endothelial cells.
- To determine how flow conditions influence MRSA-endothelial cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to MRSA under varying shear stresses (0-1.2 Pa) in a flow chamber.
- Confocal microscopy assessed MRSA adhesion and internalization.
- Flow chamber parameters were validated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Main Results:
- MRSA readily adhered to and were internalized by HUVEC under static conditions.
- At 1.2 Pa shear stress, a 15% decrease in infected HUVEC was observed compared to static conditions.
- Corrected bacterial counts revealed increased adhesion at low shear stress (0.24 Pa) and decreased adhesion at high shear stress (1.2 Pa).
Conclusions:
- MRSA adhesion to endothelial cells is significantly influenced by shear stress and time.
- Higher MRSA bacterial adhesion occurs in low shear stress environments.
- These low shear stress regions, such as arterial bifurcations, are also prone to atherosclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections