Transmembrane Pressure as an Indicator of a Density of Endothelial Cells Cultured Inside Capillaries of a Membrane Bioreactor under Dynamic Conditions

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to asses usefulness of usage of transmembrane pressure changes measurements for monitoring of cells culture in the closed construction of bioreactor with semipermeable capillary membranes. Two simultaneous HUVECs’ cultures in bioreactors with an assumed cells densities of 20,000 and 60,000 cells/cm² were carried out. Obtained results indicated that the transmembrane pressure rise time of 30 mmHg after locking up the capillaries exit depend on the quantity of cells introduced for seeding to inner part of capillaries and may be a good marker of cells quantity cultured on the inside surface of capillary membranes. However microscopy analysis of the inner part of membranes after end of cultures showed that cells shapes and sizes differed from those for cells cultured without monitoring of transmembrane pressure changes. The further studies are necessary aimed at selection of the value of the transmembrane pressure rise which does not influence on the cells morphology, cytoskeletal organization and does not disturb physiological behavior of the cells.