Instrumental method for quantitative evaluation of cell/particle adhesion based on transport measurements in capillary flow. Part II: Experimental feasibility study

The method proposed in part I is applied in experiments with capillaries of various lengths and wall coatings, and at various flow rates of the carrier liquid. Latex particles of known density and size distribution are used as a reference material. The Segre-Silberberg effect is shown to be fully established at any capillary length of more than a few decimetres. The transport retardation of the latex particles observed at specific flow rates of the carrier liquid, is governed by the chemical nature of the capillary wall coating. Cumulative plots of the cell/particle elution offer a highly reproducible measure of adherence. Tests with increasing particle numbers show the saturation of the exposed surface area. The technique is sensitive, fast, reliable and fully automated.