ABSTRACT
Objective To develop a cellular shear stress loading system with an adjustable stress mode and relevant parameters, and subsequently verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this system. Methods The hardware of the system was developed by using a peristaltic pump and self-designed multi-channel flow chamber, and the mode control program of shear stress based on LabVIEW was designed to control the device via RS485 interfacing and Modbus protocol. Additionally, the relationship between the shear stress and system parameters was calibrated, and finite element analysis was also conducted. Finally, the feasibility of the system was confirmed via the in vitro cell experiment. Results The mode and magnitude of shear stress of the system could be controlled via either the peristaltic pump or computer, and the cellular long-term effect was also able to be detected. The calibration results of the system indicated that the level of shear stress exhibited significantly linear positive correlation with the revolution of the peristaltic pump (P<0.001). Finite element analysis demonstrated that the level of shear stress on the slide was uniformly distributed and the result of simulation was accordant with calibration. Cytoskeleton staining suggested that cellular morphology of MLO-Y4 cells was changed, and microfilament increased and arrayed along fluid flow direction. Conclusion The system is stable and reliable enough to provide different loading modes and magnitude of cellular shear stress to offer a convictive platform of the research for different cellular stress signal transduction mecha-nisms.