Quantitative analysis of cell detachment by shear stress

It is important to enhance adhesive force of cells to scaffolds in a field of tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a new system that can ev aluate detachment force of cells with ease. A cone and plate-type viscomete r provides a well-defined homogeneous laminar flow and consists of simple s tructure. Therefore, the system was based on a modified cone and plate-type viscometer equipped with an upright epifluorescence microscope. The fixati on of diverse biomaterials, i.e. plate-, membranous- and porous-shaped mate rials to the system was enabled possible. In addition, small volume of medi um, small number of cells, and small piece of material were enough to evalu ate cell detachment by shear stress. By using the newly developed apparatus , the phenomena of cell detachment were quantitatively analyzed with ease. Therefore, our apparatus should be a useful instrument to develop and evalu ate the materials that are expected to enhance endothelialization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All. rights reserved.