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Strain array for cell culture: cyclic strain affects epithelial cell spreading
Author(s) -
Simmons Chelsey,
Sim Joo Yong,
Bächtold Philipp,
Pruitt Beth
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.1065.19
Subject(s) - mechanotransduction , strain (injury) , cell culture , vinculin , cell , biophysics , materials science , chemistry , biomedical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , cell adhesion , biology , anatomy , biochemistry , medicine , genetics
We have designed, fabricated and characterized a strain array (6 mm well plate format) for cell culture that applies different strain to cells plated in each row of wells on the device. This device is capable of applying 0%, 2%, 4%, 7% or 17% strain to distinct samples with separate perfusion paths using a pressure difference of 10kPa. Our device has 25 wells but mimics the geometry of a standard 96‐well plate (for compatibility with automated plate readers and other technologies) and leaves samples easily accessible to assay. Further, samples experiencing different strain fields have separate perfusion pathways. These capabilities are useful in experiments to examine mechanotransduction mechanisms, specifically sensitivity to applied strain. Madin‐Darby Canine Kidney epithelial cells were attached on the device for 3 hrs then cyclically strained at 1Hz. Cells exhibited different patterns of spreading and localization of GFP‐tagged vinculin in response to strain levels over time. This work is funded by NSF EFRI CBE0735551, NIH R21 HL089027 , and CIRM RC1‐00151‐1. CS is funded by the Smittcamp Graduate Fellowship of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.