Fig. 2
The effect of direct flow on vascular network formation kinetics. Vascular network formation in constructs cultured for 5 days under static conditions, followed by 6 days under direct flow (0.1 mL/min) or control conditions (bypass flow). a Picture of two MFV chamber set-ups for direct and bypass (control) flow conditions. b HAMEC epifluorescence (green) and respective Angiotool segmentation (green = EC epifluorescence, red = segmented vessels, light blue = segmented junctions) 7 days post-seeding, in scaffolds cultured under direct and bypass flow conditions (scale bar—200 µm). c Trend of mean total vessel length formed in each scaffold subjected to either direct or bypass (control) flow conditions, as determined using Angiotool. d Linear regression of the mean total vessel length in each scaffold subjected to either direct or bypass (control) flow conditions during angiogenesis (day 7). e Total vessel elongation rate was calculated as the mean slope obtained from replicated scaffold total vessel length linear regressions (n = 5 scaffolds for direct flow, n = 3 scaffolds for bypass flow). Error bars represent standard error of the mean (SEM). *Indicates statistical significance (p-value = 0.046)
