Preferential adhesion of leukocytes near bifurcations is endothelium independent.

Leukocyte-endothelial interactions play central roles in many pathological conditions. However, the in vivo mechanisms responsible for nonuniform spatial distribution of adhering leukocytes to endothelial cells in microvascular networks are not clear. We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo methodologies to explain of this complex phenomenon.

A physiologically realistic in vitro model of microvascular networks.

Existing microfluidic devices, e.g. parallel plate flow chambers, do not accurately depict the geometry of microvascular networks in vivo.