Gene Profiling of Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells under Elevated Pressure Conditions: Modulation of Inflammatory Gene Networks
Figure 2
(a) Schematic diagram of the pressure system. A computer controls an electropneumatic regulator (1), controlling the flow of compressed air to a pneumatic cylinder (2) the cylinder exerts a compressive force on a silicone membrane (3) reducing the volume in the pressure chamber (4) and subsequently increasing the atmospheric pressure surrounding the leaflets that are in tissue culture plates in the chamber. A pressure transducer (Omega Engineering, Inc, PX302-200GV) (5) records the internal pressure of the chamber, which is relayed back to the computer via a load cell conditioner (Encore Electronics, Inc., Model 4025-101) (6). The voltage and the pressure signal were acquired with a data acquisition card module (Measurement Devices, PMD1608) and monitored using an in-house developed LabVIEW graphical user program (LabVIEW, National Instruments). The system was placed inside an incubator to maintain a 37°C, 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere. (b) Photograph of a six-well plate in the pressure chamber before being sealed. (c) Photograph of the sealed pressure chamber prior to being place in the 37°C incubator.
