Name: hemocompatibility testing of blood-contacting implants in a flow loop model mimicking human blood flow
Uploaded: 2020-03-05T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Hemocompatibility Testing of Blood-Contacting Implants in a Flow Loop Model Mimicking Human Blood Flow at JoVE.com

For the performance of scanning electron microscopy, we thank Ernst Schweizer from the section of Medical Materials Science and Technology of the University Hospital Tuebingen. The research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR within National Sustainability Program II (Project BIOCEV-FAR LQ1604) and by Czech Science Foundation project No. 18-01163S.

The blood sampling procedure was approved by the Ethics Committee of the medical faculty at the University of Tuebingen (project identification code: 270/2010BO1). All subjects provided written, informed consent for inclusion before participation.
1. Preparation of Heparin-loaded Monovettes
<ol>
	<li>Mix the undiluted heparin (5,000 IU/mL) with sodium chloride (NaCl, 0.9%) solution and prepare a solution with a resulting concentration of 15 IU/mL of heparin.</li>
	<li>Add 900 &#181;L of the ...

<ol>
	<li>ISO. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Biological evaluation of medical devices. , (2002).</li><li>Weber, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blood-Contacting+Biomaterials:+In+Vitro+Evaluation+of+the+Hemocompatibility.">Blood-Contacting Biomaterials: In Vitro Evaluation of the Hemocompatibility.</a> Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 6, 99 (2018).</li><li>Li, Y., Boraschi, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endotoxin+contamination:+a+key+element+in+the+interpretation+of+nanosafety+studies.">Endotoxin contamination: a key element in the interpretation of nanosafety studies.</a> Nanomedicine (Lond). 11 (3), 269-287 (2016).</li><li>Cattaneo, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+investigation+of+chemical+properties+and+biocompatibility+of+neurovascular+braided+implants.">In vitro investigation of chemical properties and biocompatibility of neurovascular braided implants.</a> Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine. 30 (6), 67 (2019).</li><li>Stang, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemocompatibility+testing+according+to+ISO+10993-4:+discrimination+between+pyrogen-+and+device-induced+hemostatic+activation.">Hemocompatibility testing according to ISO 10993-4: discrimination between pyrogen- and device-induced hemostatic activation.</a> Materials Science and Engineering: C Materials for Biological Applications. 42, 422-428 (2014).</li><li>van Oeveren, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Obstacles+in+haemocompatibility+testing.">Obstacles in haemocompatibility testing.</a> Scientifica (Cairo). , 392584 (2013).</li><li>Engels, G. E., Blok, S. L., van Oeveren, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+blood+flow+model+with+physiological+wall+shear+stress+for+hemocompatibility+testing-An+example+of+coronary+stent+testing.">In vitro blood flow model with physiological wall shear stress for hemocompatibility testing-An example of coronary stent testing.</a> Biointerphases. 11 (3), 031004 (2016).</li><li>Blok, S. L., Engels, G. 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M., Heemskerk, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+whole+blood+thrombus+formation+using+parallel-plate+flow+chambers-a+practical+guide.">Measurement of whole blood thrombus formation using parallel-plate flow chambers-a practical guide.</a> Platelets. 23 (3), 229-242 (2012).</li><li>M&#252;ller, M., Krolitzki, B., Glasmacher, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+in+vitro+hemocompatibility+testing-improving+the+signal+to+noise+ratio.">Dynamic in vitro hemocompatibility testing-improving the signal to noise ratio.</a> Biomedical Engineering/Biomedizinische Technik. 57, 549-552 (2012).</li><li>Ritz-Timme, S., Eckelt, N., Schmidtke, E., Thomsen, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genesis+and+diagnostic+value+of+leukocyte+and+platelet+accumulations+around+"air+bubbles"+in+blood+after+venous+air+embolism.">Genesis and diagnostic value of leukocyte and platelet accumulations around "air bubbles" in blood after venous air embolism.</a> International Journal of Legal Medicine. 111 (1), 22-26 (1998).</li><li>Miller, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterisation+of+the+initial+period+of+protein+adsorption+by+dynamic+surface+tension+measurements+using+different+drop+techniques.">Characterisation of the initial period of protein adsorption by dynamic surface tension measurements using different drop techniques.</a> Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 131 (1), 225-230 (1998).</li><li>van Oeveren, W., Tielliu, I. F., de Hart, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+modified+chandler,+roller+pump,+and+ball+valve+circulation+models+for+in+vitro+testing+in+high+blood+flow+conditions:+application+in+thrombogenicity+testing+of+different+materials+for+vascular+applications.">Comparison of modified chandler, roller pump, and ball valve circulation models for in vitro testing in high blood flow conditions: application in thrombogenicity testing of different materials for vascular applications.</a> International Journal of Biomaterials. , 673163 (2012).</li><li>Krajewski, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preclinical+evaluation+of+the+thrombogenicity+and+endothelialization+of+bare+metal+and+surface-coated+neurovascular+stents.">Preclinical evaluation of the thrombogenicity and endothelialization of bare metal and surface-coated neurovascular stents.</a> AJNR American Journal of Neuroradiology. 36 (1), 133-139 (2015).</li><li>Monnink, S. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Silicon-carbide+coated+coronary+stents+have+low+platelet+and+leukocyte+adhesion+during+platelet+activation.">Silicon-carbide coated coronary stents have low platelet and leukocyte adhesion during platelet activation.</a> Journal of Investigative Medicine. 47 (6), 304-310 (1999).</li><li>Amoroso, G., van Boven, A. J., Volkers, C., Crijns, H. J., van Oeveren, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multilink+stent+promotes+less+platelet+and+leukocyte+adhesion+than+a+traditional+stainless+steel+stent:+an+in+vitro+experimental+study.">Multilink stent promotes less platelet and leukocyte adhesion than a traditional stainless steel stent: an in vitro experimental study.</a> Journal of Investigative Medicine. 49 (3), 265-272 (2001).</li><li>Mulvihill, J., Crost, T., Renaux, J. L., Cazenave, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+haemodialysis+membrane+biocompatibility+by+parallel+assessment+in+an+ex+vivo+model+in+healthy+volunteers.">Evaluation of haemodialysis membrane biocompatibility by parallel assessment in an ex vivo model in healthy volunteers.</a> Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 12 (9), 1968-1973 (1997).</li><li>Nordling, S., Nilsson, B., Magnusson, P. U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+in+vitro+model+for+studying+the+interactions+between+human+whole+blood+and+endothelium.">A novel in vitro model for studying the interactions between human whole blood and endothelium.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (93), e52112 (2014).</li></ol>

The presented protocol describes a comprehensive and reliable method for the hemocompatibility testing of blood-contacting implants in accordance with ISO 10993-4 in a shear flow model imitating human blood flow. This study is based on the testing of laser-cut neurovascular implants but can be performed with a variety of samples. The results demonstrate that this method enables the broad analysis of various parameters such as the blood cell count, prevalence of several hemocompatibility markers, and microscopic visualiza...

The in vivo application of implants and biomaterials, which interact with human blood, requires intense preclinical testing focusing on the investigation of various markers of the hemostatic system. The International Organization for Standardization 10993-4 (ISO 10993-4) specifies the central principles for the evaluation of blood-contacting devices (i.e., stents and vascular grafts) and considers the device design, clinical utility, and materials needed1.
Human blood is a fluid that contains various plasma proteins and cells, including leukocytes (white blood cells [WBCs]), erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]), and platelets, which carry out complex functions in the human body2. The direct contact of foreign materials with blood can cause adverse effects, such as activation of the immune or coagulation system, which can lead to inflammation or thrombotic complications and serious issues after implantation3,4,5. Therefore, in vitro hemocompatibility validation offers an opportunity prior to implantation to detect and exclude any hematologic complications that may be induced upon contact of the blood with a foreign surface6.
The presented flow loop model was established to assess the hemocompatibility of neurovascular stents and similar devices by applying a flow rate of 150 mL/min in tubing (diameter of 3.2 mm) to mimic cerebral flow conditions and artery diameters2,7. Besides the need for an optimal in vitro model, the source of blood is an important factor in gaining reliable and unaltered results when analyzing hemocompatibility of a biomaterial8. The collected blood should be used immediately after sampling to prevent changes caused by prolonged storage. In general, a gentle collection of blood without stasis using a 21 G needle should be performed to minimize the preactivation of platelets and the coagulation cascade during blood drawing. Furthermore, donor exclusion criteria include those who smoke, are pregnant, are in a poor state of health, or have taken oral contraceptives or painkillers during the previous 14 days.
This study describes an in vitro model for the extensive hemocompatibility testing of stent implants under flow conditions. When comparing uncoated to fibrin-heparin-coated stents, results of the comprehensive hemocompatibility tests reflect improved hemocompatibility of the fibrin-heparin-coated stents9. In contrast, the uncoated stents induce activation of the coagulation cascade, as demonstrated by an increase in thombin-antithrombin III (TAT) concentrations and loss of blood platelet numbers due to the adhesion of platelets to stent surface. Overall, integrating this hemocompatibility model as a preclinical test is recommended to detect any adverse effects on the hemostatic system that are caused by the device.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>aqua ad iniectabilia</td>
			<td>Fresenius-Kabi, Bad-Homburg, Germany</td>
			<td>1088813</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>beta-TG ELISA</td>
			<td>Diagnostica Stago, Duesseldorf, Germany</td>
			<td>00950</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge Rotana 460 R</td>
			<td>Andreas Hettich, Tuttlingen, Germany</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Citrat monovettes (1.4 mL)</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;mbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td>6,16,68,001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CTAD monovettes (2.7 mL)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany</td>
			<td>367562</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA monovettes (1.2 mL)</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;mbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td>6,16,62,001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol p.A. (1000 mL)</td>
			<td>AppliChem, Darmstadt, Germany</td>
			<td>1,31,08,61,611</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutaraldehyde (25 % in water)</td>
			<td>SERVA Electrophoresis, Heidelberg, Germany</td>
			<td>23114.01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin coating for tubes</td>
			<td>Ension, Pittsburgh, USA</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin-Natrium (25.000 IE/ 5 mL)</td>
			<td>LEO Pharma, Neu-Isenburg, Germany</td>
			<td>PZN 15261203</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multiplate Reader Mithras LB 940</td>
			<td>Berthold, Bad Wildbad, Germany</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl 0,9%</td>
			<td>Fresenius-Kabi, Bad-Homburg, Germany</td>
			<td>1312813</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neutral monovettes (9 mL)</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;mbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td>2,10,63,001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS buffer (w/o Ca2+/Mg2+)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific, Darmstadt, Germany</td>
			<td>70011044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peristaltic pump ISM444B</td>
			<td>Cole Parmer, Wertheim, Germany</td>
			<td>3475</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette (100 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Eppendorf, Wesseling-Berzdorf, Germany</td>
			<td>3124000075</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette (1000 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Eppendorf, Wesseling-Berzdorf, Germany</td>
			<td>3123000063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic container (100 mL)</td>
			<td>Sarstedt, N&#252;mbrecht, Germany</td>
			<td>7,55,62,300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PMN-Elastase ELISA</td>
			<td>Demeditec Diagnostics, Kiel Germany</td>
			<td>DEH3311</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyvinyl chloride tube</td>
			<td>Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Inc., Courbevoie France</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reaction Tubes (1.5 mL)</td>
			<td>Eppendorf, Wesseling-Berzdorf, Germany</td>
			<td>30123328</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>neurovascular laser-cut implants</td>
			<td>Acandis GmbH, Pforzheim</td>
			<td>01-0011x</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SC5b-9 ELISA</td>
			<td>TECOmedical, Buende, Germany</td>
			<td>A029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scanning electron microscope</td>
			<td>Cambridge Instruments, Cambridge, UK</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sealing tape (96 well plate)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific, Darmstadt, Germany</td>
			<td>15036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe 10/12 mL Norm-Ject</td>
			<td>Henke-Sass-Wolf, Tuttlingen, Germany</td>
			<td>10080010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TAT micro kit</td>
			<td>Siemens Healthcare, Marburg, Germany</td>
			<td>OWMG15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Waterbath Type 1083</td>
			<td>Gesellschaft f&#252;r Labortechnik, Burgwedel, Germany</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

hemocompatibility testing of blood-contacting implants in a flow loop model mimicking human blood flow

The growing use of medical devices (e.g., vascular grafts, stents, and cardiac catheters) for temporary or permanent purposes that remain in the body&#39;s circulatory system demands a reliable and multiparametric approach that evaluates the possible hematologic complications caused by these devices (i.e., activation and destruction of blood components). Comprehensive in vitro hemocompatibility testing of blood-contacting implants is the first step towards successful in vivo implementation. Therefore, extensive analysis according to the International Organization for Standardization 10993-4 (ISO 10993-4) is mandatory prior to clinical application. The presented flow loop describes a sensitive model to analyze the hemostatic performance of stents (in this case, neurovascular) and reveal adverse effects. The use of fresh human whole blood and gentle blood sampling are essential to avoid the preactivation of blood. The blood is perfused through a heparinized tubing containing the test specimen by using a peristaltic pump at a rate of 150 mL/min at 37 &#176;C for 60 min. Before and after perfusion, hematologic markers (i.e., blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasmatic markers) indicating the activation of leukocytes (polymorphonuclear [PMN]-elastase), platelets (&#946;-thromboglobulin [&#946;-TG]), the coagulation system (thombin-antithrombin III [TAT]), and the complement cascade (SC5b-9) are analyzed. In conclusion, we present an essential and reliable model for extensive hemocompatibility testing of stents and other blood-contacting devices prior to clinical application.

Briefly summarized, human whole blood was collected in heparin-loaded monovettes then pooled and used to evaluate the baseline levels of cell counts as well as plasmatic hemocompatibility markers.
Subsequently, the tubing containing the neurovascular implant samples was filled, and the blood was perfused for 60 min at 150 mL/min and 37 &#176;C using a peristaltic pump. Again, the number of cells was analyzed in all groups, and the plasma samples were prepared for ELISA analyses (<strong class=...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Hemocompatibility Testing of Blood-Contacting Implants in a Flow Loop Model Mimicking Human Blood Flow at JoVE.com

Hemocompatibility Testing of Blood-Contacting Implants in a Flow Loop Model Mimicking Human Blood Flow

This protocol describes a comprehensive hemocompatibility evaluation of blood-contacting devices using laser-cut neurovascular implants. A flow loop model with fresh, heparinized human blood is applied to mimic blood flow. After perfusion, various hematologic markers are analyzed and compared to the values gained directly after blood collection for hemocompatibility evaluation of the tested devices.

The growing use of medical devices (e.g., vascular grafts, stents, and cardiac catheters) for temporary or permanent purposes that remain in the ...

This protocol presents a model for the hemocompatibility investigation of blood-contacting devices according to International Standard Organization guidelines. The model is ideal for mimicking the physiological conditions that correspond to the implant since the low background for thrombotic events and the low concentration of anticoagulants enable a broad analysis of blood parameter. This method is ideal for biomaterial research since it provides a simple way to evaluate hemocompatibility.Moreover, it can be used for preclinical studies. For heparin loading, first mix 5, 000 international units of undiluted heparin with 0.9%sodium chloride to obtain a 15 international units per milliliter of heparin concentration. Next, add 900 microliters of the diluted heparin solution to three neutral monovettes and three reserved monovettes per donor and store the heparin-loaded monovettes at four degrees Celsius.30 minutes before the blood sample collection, place the monovettes at room temperature. When the monovettes have warmed, collect nine milliliters of blood into each of three monovettes per donor before pooling all 27 milliliters of blood from each donor into a single plastic container. To prepare the flow loop, load at least one tube per condition with the neurovascular laser cut implant of interest and place one end of each tube in a reservoir filled with 0.9%sodium chloride.Place an unloaded tube into the reservoir and connect all of the tubes to the pump head. Then insert the other end of each tube into a measuring cylinder and adjust the settings of the peristaltic pump to a flow rate of 150 milliliters per minute using a timer while checking the fill level in the measuring cylinder. For hemocompatibility testing, use a 12 milliliter syringe to fill each tube with six milliliters of blood.After forming a circuit, use a 0.5 centimeter length of silicone connecting tubing to close the tubes tightly and place the tubes in a 37 degree Celsius water bath. Then start the 60 minute tube. For whole blood count analysis, add 1.2 milliliters of nonperfused blood or 1.2 milliliters of blood from each tube after the perfusion into individual monovettes containing EDTA.Carefully invert the monovettes five times and load the vials into a blood analyzer for a blood count analysis of each sample. At the end of the analysis, place the monovettes on ice for 15-60 minutes. For citrate plasma collection, fill citrate-containing monovettes with 1.4 milliliters of nonperfused or perfused blood and carefully invert each monovette five times.Separate the plasma by centrifugation and transfer three 250 microliter aliquots of the plasma fraction into individual 1.5 milliliter reaction tubes. Then freeze the plasma samples in liquid nitrogen and store them at minus 20 degrees Celsius until their analysis. For EDTA plasma collection, after the four degrees Celsius incubation after the blood count measurement, separate the plasma by centrifugation and transfer three 250 microliter aliquots of the plasma fraction into individual 1.5 milliliter reaction tubes.Then freeze the plasma samples in liquid nitrogen for minus 20 degrees Celsius storage. For CTAD plasma collection, fill CTAD-containing monovettes with 2.7 milliliters of freshly drawn or perfused blood and carefully invert the tubes five times. Place the monovettes on ice for 15-60 minutes before collecting the plasma by centrifugation.Transfer 700 microliters of each middle plasma fraction into individual 1.5 milliliter reaction tubes and centrifuge the filled reaction tubes again. Then transfer two 100 microliter aliquots of the middle fraction into individual 1.5 milliliter reaction tubes and freeze the tubes in liquid nitrogen for their storage at minus 20 degrees Celsius. To measure the TAT levels in the citrate plasma samples, add 50 microliters of ELISA sample buffer into each well of a 96-well flat bottom plate and 50 microliters of plasma standard, plasma control, and undiluted plasma samples in duplicates to the appropriate wells of the plate.After sealing the plate, incubate the samples at 37 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes with gentle shaking. At the end of the incubation, wash the plate three times with 300 microliters of washing solution per well before adding 100 microliters of peroxidase conjugated anti-human TAT antibody to each well. After a 15-minute incubation at 37 degrees Celsius with shaking, wash the plate three times with 300 microliters of fresh washing solution per well.After the last wash, add 100 microliters of freshly prepared chromogen solution per well for a 30-minute incubation at room temperature. At the end of the incubation, add 100 microliters of stop solution to each well and read the optical density on a photometer at 490 to 500 nanometers using the standard curve data as a trend line for calculating the TAT concentration of each sample. To prepare the implants for scanning electron microscopy, use forceps to remove the implants from the tubes and briefly rinse each implant three times in fresh 0.9%sodium chloride per wash.After the last wash, store the implants in individual containers of 2%glutaraldehyde in PBS without calcium and magnesium overnight at four degrees Celsius. The next morning, incubate the implants in individual containers of PBS for 10 minutes before dehydrating the implants in ascending concentrations of ethanol for 10 minutes per concentration as indicated. Directly after blood collection and perfusion, no changes are detected in the number of white or red blood cells or in the hematocrit values.However, a decrease in hemoglobin levels is detected after perfusion within the flow loop system. A decrease in platelet numbers is also observed, that is increased when an uncoated stent is present within the tubing. Notably, this loss is reduced when the blood is incubated with a fibrin-heparin-coated stent.The TAT complex concentration is mildly increased in response to the perfusion. When a bare metal stent is added, however, a significant increase in the TAT is detected indicating a profound activation of the coagulation system. The use of a fibrin-heparin-coated stent prevents this activation.Perfusion leads to an increased activation of the compliment cascade that is not affected by the presence of uncoated or fibrin-heparin-coated stents. Similarly, neutrophil granulocytes are activated as evidenced by the quantification of polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase levels. Visualization by scanning electron microscopy reveals that the presence of a dense network of blood cells and proteins on the surface of the uncoated stent after perfusion that is not observed on the fibrin-heparin-coated stents.It is of utmost importance to confirm that the blood fulfill the inclusion criteria for obtaining samples and to use freshly drawn blood as quick as possible. Human blood may contain bloodborne viruses and other agents and carries the risk of infection so be sure to always wear appropriate PPE when handling the samples.

hemocompatibility-testing-blood-contacting-implants-flow-loop-model

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model

There is a considerable discrepancy between oxygen supply and demand in the liver because hepatic oxygen consumption is relatively high but about 70% of the hepatic blood supply is poorly oxygenated portal vein blood derived from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen. Oxygen is delivered to hepatocytes by blood flowing from a terminal branch of the portal vein to a central venule via sinusoids, and this makes an oxygen gradient in hepatic lobules. The oxygen gradient is an important physical parameter that involves the expression of enzymes upstream and downstream in hepatic microcirculation, but the lack of techniques for measuring oxygen consumption in the hepatic microcirculation has delayed the elucidation of mechanisms relating to oxygen metabolism in liver. We therefore used FITC-labeled erythrocytes to visualize the hepatic microcirculation and used laser-assisted phosphorimetry to measure the partial pressure of oxygen in the microvessels there. Noncontact and continuous optical measurement can quantify blood flow velocities, vessel diameters, and oxygen gradients related to oxygen consumption in the liver. In an acute hepatitis model we made by administering acetaminophen to mice we observed increased oxygen pressure in both portal and central venules but a decreased oxygen gradient in the sinusoids, indicating that hepatocyte necrosis in the pericentral zone could shift the oxygen pressure up and affect enzyme expression in the periportal zone. In conclusion, our optical methods for measuring hepatic hemodynamics and oxygen consumption can reveal mechanisms related to hepatic disease.

An optical system was developed to visualize hepatic microcirculation with FITC-labeled erythrocytes and to measure the partial pressure of oxygen in the microvessels with laser-assisted phosphorimetry. This method can be used to investigate physiological and pathological mechanisms by analyzing microvascular structure, diameter, blood flow velocity, and oxygen tension.

There is a considerable discrepancy between oxygen supply and demand in the liver because hepatic oxygen consumption is relatively high but about 70% of ...

High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum

Over the recent years, antibodies against surface and conformational proteins involved in neurotransmission have been detected in autoimmune CNS diseases in children and adults. These antibodies have been used to guide diagnosis and treatment. Cell-based assays have improved the detection of antibodies in patient serum. They are based on the surface expression of brain antigens on eukaryotic cells, which are then incubated with diluted patient sera followed by fluorochrome-conjugated secondary antibodies. After washing, secondary antibody binding is then analyzed by flow cytometry. Our group has developed a high-throughput flow cytometry live cell-based assay to reliably detect antibodies against specific neurotransmitter receptors. This flow cytometry method is straight forward, quantitative, efficient, and the use of a high-throughput sampler system allows for large patient cohorts to be easily assayed in a short space of time. Additionally, this cell-based assay can be easily adapted to detect antibodies to many different antigenic targets, both from the central nervous system and periphery. Discovering additional novel antibody biomarkers will enable prompt and accurate diagnosis and improve treatment of immune-mediated disorders.

Over the recent years, live cell-based assays have been used successfully to detect antibodies against surface and conformational antigens. Here, we describe a method using high-throughput flow cytometry enabling the analysis of large cohorts of patients. Detection of novel antibodies will improve diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated disorders.

Over the recent years, antibodies against surface and conformational proteins involved in neurotransmission have been detected in autoimmune CNS diseases ...

Intravital Video Microscopy Measurements of Retinal Blood Flow in Mice

Alterations in retinal blood flow can contribute to, or be a consequence of, ocular disease and visual dysfunction. Therefore, quantitation of altered perfusion can aid research into the mechanisms of retinal pathologies. Intravital video microscopy of fluorescent tracers can be used to measure vascular diameters and bloodstream velocities of the retinal vasculature, specifically the arterioles branching from the central retinal artery and of the venules leading into the central retinal vein. Blood flow rates can be calculated from the diameters and velocities, with the summation of arteriolar flow, and separately venular flow, providing values of total retinal blood flow. This paper and associated video describe the methods for applying this technique to mice, which includes 1) the preparation of the eye for intravital microscopy of the anesthetized animal, 2) the intravenous infusion of fluorescent microspheres to measure bloodstream velocity, 3) the intravenous infusion of a high molecular weight fluorescent dextran, to aid the microscopic visualization of the retinal microvasculature, 4) the use of a digital microscope camera to obtain videos of the perfused retina, and 5) the use of image processing software to analyze the video. The same techniques can be used for measuring retinal blood flow rates in rats.

Intravital microscopy can be used in animals to visualize and measure retinal vascular diameters, bloodstream velocities, and total retinal blood flow.

Alterations in retinal blood flow can contribute to, or be a consequence of, ocular disease and visual dysfunction. Therefore, quantitation of altered ...

Automated Measurement of Microcirculatory Blood Flow Velocity in Pulmonary Metastases of Rats

Because the lung is a major target organ of metastatic disease, animal models to study the physiology of pulmonary metastases are of great importance. However, very few methods exist to date to investigate lung metastases in a dynamic fashion at the microcirculatory level, due to the difficulty to access the lung with a microscope. Here, an intravital microscopy method is presented to functionally image and quantify the microcirculation of superficial pulmonary metastases in rats, using a closed-chest pulmonary window and automated analysis of blood flow velocity and direction. The utility of this method is demonstrated to measure increases in blood flow velocity in response to pharmacological intervention, and to image the well-known tortuous vasculature of solid tumors. This is the first demonstration of intravital microscopy on pulmonary metastases in a closed-chest model. Because of its minimized invasiveness, as well as due to its relative ease and practicality, this technology has the potential to experience widespread use in laboratories that specialize on pulmonary tumor research.

A method is presented to measure microcirculatory blood flow velocity in pulmonary cancer metastases of the pleural surface in rats in an automated fashion, using closed-chest pulmonary intravital microscopy. This model has potential to be used as a widespread tool to perform physiologic research on pulmonary metastases in rodents.

Because the lung is a major target organ of metastatic disease, animal models to study the physiology of pulmonary metastases are of great importance. ...

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples

Despite the public health importance of mucosal pathogens (including HIV), relatively little is known about mucosal immunity, particularly at the female genital tract (FGT). Because heterosexual transmission now represents the dominant mechanism of HIV transmission, and given the continual spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is critical to understand the interplay between host and pathogen at the genital mucosa. The substantial gaps in knowledge around FGT immunity are partially due to the difficulty in successfully collecting and processing mucosal samples. In order to facilitate studies with sufficient sample size, collection techniques must be minimally invasive and efficient. To this end, a protocol for the collection of cervical cytobrush samples and subsequent isolation of cervical mononuclear cells (CMC) has been optimized. Using ex vivo flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping, it is possible to accurately and reliably quantify CMC lymphocyte/monocyte population frequencies and phenotypes. This technique can be coupled with the collection of cervical-vaginal lavage (CVL), which contains soluble immune mediators including cytokines, chemokines and anti-proteases, all of which can be used to determine the anti- or pro-inflammatory environment in the vagina.

The use of cytobrush sampling to collect lymphocytes and monocytes from the endocervix is a minimally invasive technique that provides samples for analysis of female genital tract immunity. In this protocol, we describe the collection of cytobrush samples and immune cell isolation for flow cytometry assays.

Despite the public health importance of mucosal pathogens (including HIV), relatively little is known about mucosal immunity, particularly at the female ...

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) is a clinically useful, noninvasive tool for studying coronary artery flow velocity and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in humans. Reduced CFR is accompanied by marked intramyocardial and pericoronary fibrosis and is used as an indication of the severity of dysfunction. This study explores, step-by-step, the real-time changes measured in the coronary flow velocity, CFR and systolic to diastolic peak velocity (S/D) ratio in the setting of an aortic banding model in mice. By using a Doppler transthoracic imaging technique that yields reproducible and reliable data, the method assesses changes in flow in the septal coronary artery (SCA), for a period of over two weeks in mice, that previously either underwent aortic banding or thoracotomy. 
During imaging, hyperemia in all mice was induced by isoflurane, an anesthetic that increased coronary flow velocity when compared with resting flow. All images were acquired by a single imager. Two ratios, (1) CFR, the ratio between hyperemic and baseline flow velocities, and (2) systolic (S) to diastolic (D) flow were determined, using a proprietary software and by two independent observers. Importantly, the observed changes in coronary flow preceded LV dysfunction as evidenced by normal LV mass and fractional shortening (FS). 
The method was benchmarked against the current gold standard of coronary assessment, histopathology. The latter technique showed clear pathologic changes in the coronary artery in the form of peri-coronary fibrosis that correlated to the flow changes as assessed by echocardiography. 
The study underscores the value of using a non-invasive technique to monitor coronary circulation in mouse hearts. The method minimizes redundant use of research animals and demonstrates that advanced ultrasound-based indices, such as CFR and S/D ratios, can serve as viable diagnostic tools in a variety of investigational protocols including drug studies and the study of genetically modified strains.

Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is useful for assessment of myocardial oxygen demand and evaluation of cardiovascular risk. This study establishes a step-by-step transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic (TTDE) method for longitudinal monitoring of the changes in CFR, as measured from coronary artery in mice, under the experimental pressure overload of aortic banding.

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) is a clinically useful, noninvasive tool for studying coronary artery flow velocity and coronary flow ...

Characterization of Immune Cells in Human Adipose Tissue by Using Flow Cytometry

Infiltration of immune cells in the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (AT) deposits leads to a low-grade inflammation contributing to the development of obesity-associated complications such as type 2 diabetes. To quantitatively and qualitatively investigate the immune cell subsets in human AT deposits, we have developed a flow cytometry approach. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), containing the immune cells, is isolated from subcutaneous and visceral AT biopsies by collagenase digestion. Adipocytes are removed after centrifugation. The SVF cells are stained for multiple membrane-bound markers selected to differentiate between immune cell subsets and analyzed using flow cytometry. As a result of this approach, pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophage subsets, dendritic cells (DCs), B-cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, and NK cells can be detected and quantified. This method gives detailed information about immune cells in AT and the amount of each specific subset. Since there are numerous fluorescent antibodies available, our flow cytometry approach can be adjusted to measure various other cellular and intracellular markers of interest.

This article describes a method to analyze immune cell content of adipose tissue by isolation of immune cells from adipose tissue and subsequent analysis using flow cytometry.

Infiltration of immune cells in the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (AT) deposits leads to a low-grade inflammation contributing to the ...

Simultaneous Flow Cytometric Characterization of Multiple Cell Types Retrieved from Mouse Brain/Spinal Cord Through Different Homogenization Methods

Recent advances in viral vector and nanomaterial sciences have opened the way for new cutting-edge approaches to investigate or manipulate the central nervous system (CNS). However, further optimization of these technologies would benefit from methods allowing rapid and streamline determination of the extent of CNS and cell-specific targeting upon administration of viral vectors or nanoparticles in the body. Here, we present a protocol that takes advantage of the high throughput and multiplexing capabilities of flow cytometry to allow a straightforward quantification of different cell subtypes isolated from mouse brain or spinal cord, namely microglia/macrophages, lymphocytes, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons and endothelial cells. We apply this approach to highlight critical differences between two tissue homogenization methods in terms of cell yield, viability and composition. This could instruct the user to choose the best method depending on the cell type(s) of interest and the specific application. This method is not suited for analysis of anatomical distribution, since the tissue is homogenized to generate a single-cell suspension. However, it allows to work with viable cells and it can be combined with cell-sorting, opening the way for several applications that could expand the repertoire of tools in the hands of the neuroscientist, ranging from establishment of primary cultures derived from pure cell populations, to gene-expression analyses and biochemical or functional assays on well-defined cell subtypes in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, upon pharmacological treatment or gene therapy.

We present a flow cytometry method to identify simultaneously different cell types retrieved from mouse brain or spinal cord. This method could be exploited to isolate or characterize pure cell populations in neurodegenerative diseases or to quantify the extent of cell targeting upon in vivo administration of viral vectors or nanoparticles.

Recent advances in viral vector and nanomaterial sciences have opened the way for new cutting-edge approaches to investigate or manipulate the central ...

Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry

When investigating the body&#39;s mechanisms for regulating cerebral blood flow, a relative measurement of microcirculatory blood flow can be obtained using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). This paper demonstrates a closed skull preparation that allows cerebral blood flow to be assessed without penetrating the skull or installing a chamber or cerebral window. To evaluate autoregulatory mechanisms, a model of controlled blood pressure reduction via graded hemorrhage can be utilized while simultaneously employing LDF. This enables the real time tracking of the relative changes in the blood flow in response to reductions in arterial blood pressure produced by the withdrawal of circulating blood volume. This paradigm is a valuable approach to study cerebral blood flow autoregulation during reductions in arterial blood pressure and, with minor modifications in the protocol, is also valuable as an experimental model of hemorrhagic shock. In addition to evaluating autoregulatory responses, LDF can be used to monitor the cortical blood flow when investigating metabolic, myogenic, endothelial, humoral, or neural mechanisms that regulate cerebral blood flow and the impact of various experimental interventions and pathological conditions on cerebral blood flow.

This article demonstrates the use of laser Doppler flowmetry to evaluate the ability of the cerebral circulation to autoregulate its blood flow during reductions in arterial blood pressure.

When investigating the body&#39;s mechanisms for regulating cerebral blood flow, a relative measurement of microcirculatory blood flow can be obtained ...

Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants

Osteochondral defects in middle-aged patients might be treated with focal metallic implants. First developed for defects in the knee joint, implants are now available for the shoulder, hip, ankle and the first metatarsalphalangeal joint. While providing pain reduction and clinical improvement, progressive degenerative changes of the opposing cartilage are observed in many patients. The mechanisms leading to this damage are not fully understood. This protocol describes a tribological experiment to simulate a metal-on-cartilage pairing and comprehensive analysis of the articular cartilage. Metal implant material is tested against bovine osteochondral cylinders as a model for human articular cartilage. By applying different loads and sliding speeds, physiological loading conditions can be imitated. To provide a comprehensive analysis of the effects on the articular cartilage, histology, metabolic activity and gene expression analysis are described in this protocol. The main advantage of tribological testing is that loading parameters can be adjusted freely to simulate in vivo conditions. Furthermore, different testing solutions might be used to investigate the influence of lubrication or pro-inflammatory agents. By using gene expression analysis for cartilage-specific genes and catabolic genes, early changes in the metabolism of articular chondrocytes in response to mechanical loading might be detected.

This protocol describes the preparation, biotribological testing, and analysis of osteochondral cylinders sliding against metal implant material. Outcome measures included in this protocol are metabolic activity, gene expression and histology.

Osteochondral defects in middle-aged patients might be treated with focal metallic implants. First developed for defects in the knee joint, implants are ...