Characterization of planar concentration gradients in a sequential-injection system for cell-perfusion studies

This paper describes the characterization of a perfusion chamber that is coupled with a sequential-injection system and is being designed for live-cell perfusion. The apparatus consists of a multi-port valve, a peristaltic pump, a perfusion chamber and an epifluorescence microscope. The entire system is computer controlled and temperature regulated. The parameters discussed are the concentration-time profiles with regard to the volume of reagent used and the position of the cell in the perfusion chamber. Other parameters discussed include the stopped-flow compliance, reproducibility and symmetry of the concentration gradients formed. The system is shown to be suitable for two modes of perfusion; the first in which all cells are exposed to the same concentration of reagent, and the second in which cells are exposed to a gradient of concentrations. All characterization is performed with use of bulk fluorescein as a tracer, and a correlation is made between the bulk flow and the response within the cellular environment by using 5-[N-(octadecanoyl)amino]fluorescein.