Extent of flow recirculation governs expression of atherosclerotic and thrombotic biomarkers in arterial bifurcations

In vitro models using human smooth muscle cells (SMC) or endothelial cells seeded on geometrically realistic scaffolds mimicking coronary and carotid bifurcations derived from clinical imaging.

Exposure to physiological flows with varying extents of flow recirculation.

Regions of arterial flow without recirculation (or straight-tube idealized constructs).

Expression of atherosclerotic and thrombotic biomarkers (oxidized LDL uptake, monocyte adhesion, tissue factor expression, phosphorylated eNOS, KLF2).surrogate