Seeding of endothelial cells in perfused microporous glass capillaries

The aim of the studies has been to develop an in vitro model which is suitable to study endothelial cell function, especially transendothelial transport phenomena under flow conditions. Microporous glass capillaries, inserted into specially designed perfusion chambers, served as carriers for endothelial cells (EC). A method is described, how to prepare and seed the capillaries in order to have them completely endothelialized. The capillaries were perfused for up to 6 days with 0.2-2.0 ml culture medium/min and wall shear stress was calculated as 0.05-0.5 N/m2. The cells inside the capillary lumen have been observed by phase contrast microscopy and photographed during flow. Our results show that both, vessel geometry and low flow influence the shape and the orientation of EC in vitro. Our model offers a new facility to observe and study a variety of EC functions during flow and under simultaneous microscopic observation.