Flow chamber and analyte detection method
Overview
Researchers in the School of Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University have developed a flow chamber and method for detecting the presence of one or more cell-produced analytes under flow conditions. The parallel-plate flow chamber has two components separated by a permeable membrane, with one compartment containing the cells that are subjected to the flow field. The other compartment has a recording electrode to allow detection of cell-produced analytes and is isolated from the effects of flow.
The researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of this system by directly measuring nitric oxide (NO) in real time from endothelial cells across a range of shear stress applied. NO is present in the micromolar to nanomolar range and reacts rapidly with molecular oxygen for a short half-life of 2-30 seconds; the low concentration and short-lived nature of NO present technical challenges for direct measurement from cells. NO production from the endothelium is involved in vascular tone, and the level has implications for atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Applications
- Directly measure metabolites produced from shear stress changes in cells
- Couple concentration with simulations for calculating NO production rate
- Study mechanisms linking NO production with shear stress
- Study pathological conditions involving changes in NO production or availability
Advantages
- Electrodes measure local concentrations at endothelial surface
- Real-time, direct measurement of low concentration analytes
Intellectual Property and Development Status
United States Issued Patent- 9,535,058
References
Andrews A.M. et al. Cholesterol enrichment impairs capacitative calcium entry, eNOS phosphorylation, and shear stress-induced NO production. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 2017, 10(1), p. 30-40.
Andrews A.M. et al. Shear stress-induced NO production is dependent on ATP autocrine signaling and capacitative calcium entry. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 2014, 7(4), p. 510-520.
Kemeny S.F. et al. Glycated collagen alters endothelial cell actin alignment and nitric oxide release in response to fluid shear stress. Journal of Biomechanics, 2011, 44(10), p. 1927-1935.
Andrews A.M. et al. Direct, real-time measurement of shear stress-induced nitric oxide produced from endothelial cells in vitro. Nitric Oxide, 2010, 23(4), p. 335-342.