Figure 2

Schematic depiction of the microchip dynamic system. After cell adhesion to the microchannel for 4 h under static conditions in incubator (a crucial point in the ability of the cells to resist to the subsequent shear stress), the microchip was connected to a syringe pump. The microchip was perfused at a continuous unidirectional flow rate of 2 μL min⁻¹ with culture medium RPMI supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% mix of antibiotics/antifungals and connected with silicone tubes to the perfusion system. The syringe was attached to the PT microchip through a female luer adapter and the supernatant was collected on the opposite access. The outlet access was attached to a sterile Falcon^® tube, which was sealed with plastic film (Parafilm^® “M” – Laboratory Film). The system, composed by the microchip and a pump, stayed in the incubator at 37 °C, in a humidified atmosphere at 5% CO₂ during the course of the experiment.