An in vitro tissue culture model for interstitial flow

We have developed an in vitro model to study the short- and long-term effects of interstitial flow on cell response and matrix remodeling. Our flow chamber is designed to physically support the tissue matrix and allow microscopic visualization of cells suspended within the 3-D matrix. We show that cells can be maintained for over a week under interstitial flow (including fibroblast-endothelial cell co-cultures, despite contractile forces), that pressure-flow relationships can be monitored continuously to assess changes in overall mechanical properties, and that cells can be readily visualized within the 3-D matrix in a plane perpendicular to flow. We compare a variety of matrices, including rat tail collagen, fibrin, and modifications of both gels, and we also compare a variety of cell types in terms of survival and response to flow.