title: Bifurcations: focal points of particle adhesion in microvascular networks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Particle adhesion in vivo is dependent on the microcirculation environment, which features unique anatomical (bifurcations, tortuosity, cross-sectional changes) and physiological (complex hemodynamics) characteristics. The mechanisms behind these complex phenomena are not well understood. In this study, we used a recently developed in vitro model of microvascular networks, called SMN, for characterizing particle adhesion patterns in the microcirculation.
  
  
  METHODS
  SMNs were fabricated using soft-lithography processes followed by particle adhesion studies using avidin and biotin-conjugated microspheres. Particle adhesion patterns were subsequently analyzed using CFD-based modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Experimental and modeling studies highlighted the complex and heterogeneous fluid flow patterns encountered by particles in microvascular networks resulting in significantly higher propensity of adhesion (>1.5×) near bifurcations compared with the branches of the microvascular networks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bifurcations are the focal points of particle adhesion in microvascular networks. Changing flow patterns and morphology near bifurcations are the primary factors controlling the preferential adhesion of functionalized particles in microvascular networks. SMNs provide an in vitro framework for understanding particle adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Technology, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, Alabama, USA. bxp@cfdrc.com
authors.forename: Balabhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prabhakarpandian
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rea-Ramsey
authors.forename: Shivshankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: Mohammad F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kiani
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001360:Avidin / Q000737:chemistry; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D055806:Microvessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular
chemical_list: D001360:Avidin; D001710:Biotin