Pulsatile-flow culture: a novel system for assessing vascular-cell dynamics.

We describe a model system for vascular-cell culture where recirculating fluid flow in standard culture plates is generated by gravity using a combination of platform tilt and rotation (nutation). Placed inside a cell-culture incubator, variable nutation speeds provide pulsatile shear stresses to vascular cells within the physiological range. The effect of these stresses on cells is demonstrated here using standard laboratory techniques such as immunofluorescent staining, immunoblot, and supernatant analyses. This gravity-driven model framework is well-suited for assessing dynamic conditions for mono- and co-cultures. In addition, the modular design and the use of off-the-shelf components make the system economical and scalable.