Catholic University of Leuven

4 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Medicine

Permanent Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Mice: A Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Remodelling and Heart Failure

Ilayaraja Muthuramu¹, Marleen Lox¹, Frank Jacobs¹, Bart De Geest¹

¹Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Catholic University of Leuven

Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization and a major cause of mortality. A model of permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice is applied to investigate ventricular remodelling and cardiac dysfunction post-myocardial infarction. The technique of invasive hemodynamic measurements in mice is presented.

Immunology and Infection

In Vitro and In Vivo Model to Study Bacterial Adhesion to the Vessel Wall Under Flow Conditions

Jorien Claes¹, Laurens Liesenborghs¹, Marleen Lox¹, Peter Verhamme¹, Thomas Vanassche¹, Marijke Peetermans¹

¹Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven

To study the interaction of bacteria with the blood vessels under shear stress, a flow chamber and an in vivo mesenteric intravital microscopy model are described that allow to dissect the bacterial and host factors contributing to vascular adhesion.

Bioengineering

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Britt Van Aelst¹, Hendrik B. Feys¹, Rosalie Devloo¹, Philippe Vandekerckhove^2,3,4, Veerle Compernolle^1,2,4

¹Transfusion Research Center, Belgium Red Cross-Flanders, ²Blood Service, Belgium Red Cross-Flanders, ³Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University of Leuven, ⁴Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent

Platelet transfusion and hemostasis was modeled using blood reconstitution and microfluidic flow chambers to investigate the function of blood banking platelets. The data demonstrate the consequences of platelet storage lesion on hemostasis, in vitro.

Bioengineering

A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time

Katrijn R. Six^1,2, Rosalie Devloo¹, Britt Van Aelst¹, Philippe Vandekerckhove^2,3,4, Hendrik B. Feys¹, Veerle Compernolle^1,2,3

¹Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, ²Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, ³Blood Service, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, ⁴Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KULeuven - University of Leuven

This paper describes an experimental model of hemostasis that simultaneously measures platelet function and coagulation. Platelet and fibrin fluorescence is measured in real-time, and platelet adhesion rate, coagulation rate, and onset of coagulation are determined. The model is used to determine platelet procoagulant properties under flow in concentrates for transfusion.