An In Vitro Microfluidic Model of the Cardiovascular System for Human Disease Modelling and Drug Screening-Assessment of Monocyte-to-Endothelial Cell Adhesion and Cytokine Analysis

WC11 2021 -- Atherosclerosis (gradual narrowing of the arteries) is an inflammatory process involving a series of progressive cellular events, including monocyte adhesion to the luminal endothelial surface. We have developed an in vitro cardiovascular adhesion assay using BioFlux™ microfluidic technology to model monocyte adhesion to primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), mimicking an important early stage of atherosclerosis and predictive of in vivo inflammatory outcomes. Our work provides proof-of-concept data to establish assay sensitivity for detection of pro- or anti-inflammatory effects of chemicals, pharmaceuticals or food compounds on the endothelium.