Design of a Versatile Sample Holder for Facile Culture of Cells on Electrospun Membranes or Thin Polymer Films Under Flow Conditions

Methods Mol Biol. 2020:2125:1-13. doi: 10.1007/7651_2018_192.

Abstract

Endothelial cell culture under flow, to mimic physiological conditions within blood vessels, has gained particular attention for the formation of a homogeneous endothelium in vitro. Here, we report on the design of a setup for simultaneous culture of up to nine electrospun membranes or thin polymer films in custom-made holders under flow on an orbital shaker. The versatile design of the device allows for the use of electrospun membranes/polymer films of choice and subsequent analysis with commonly used methods such as immunofluorescence or scanning electron microscopy.

Keywords: Culture under flow; Electrospun membranes; Endothelial cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Rheology*
  • Sterilization
  • Tissue Fixation

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polymers