Meloxicam effect on leukocyte migration under shear stress: A new perfusedtriple chamber (Hofbauer chamber) assay simulating an in vitro vascular wall

Background: Leukocyte migration plays a tremendous role during inflammation , Different drugs are able to influence migration of leukocytes, Several au thors have attempted to establish methods for investigation of leukocyte mi gration. Migration of leukocytes under conditions simulating natural blood flow and shear stress is poorly understood. Moreover, leukocyte migration i n the simultaneous presence of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (S MC) has not yet been examined thoroughly. The aim of the current study was to create a new three-dimensional assay investigating migration during simu lated perfusion. The assay was used for investigating the effect of meloxic am on leukocyte migration under shear stress. Methods: Different concentrations of meloxicam (0.09, 0.9, and 9.0 ng/mL) w ere used in a newly developed triple migration chamber system for investiga tion of leukocyte migration (n=7), This new system allows inclusion of SMC- layers. Assay precision tests were done using intra-assay (within-day varia bility) and interassay (day-to-day variability) controls, Results: Intra-assay and interassay controls showed reliable results (coeff icient of variation: intra-assay 8.53%; interassay 11.39%), Meloxicam in a clinically relevant concentration of 0.9 ng/mL was able to reduce the migra tion of leukocytes under shear stress (71 +/- 14% SD; P<0.05), whereas high er and lower concentrations showed a dose dependent effect. Conclusion: This new perfusion system allows investigation of drugs, such a s meloxicam, on leukocyte migration under shear stress, Moreover, this assa y may be used for studies on other cell-cell interactions, as well as on dr ug influences.