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Grigorev GV, Lebedev AV, Wang X, Qian X, Maksimov GV, Lin L. Advances in Microfluidics for Single Red Blood Cell Analysis. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:117. [PMID: 36671952 PMCID: PMC9856164 DOI: 10.3390/bios13010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The utilizations of microfluidic chips for single RBC (red blood cell) studies have attracted great interests in recent years to filter, trap, analyze, and release single erythrocytes for various applications. Researchers in this field have highlighted the vast potential in developing micro devices for industrial and academia usages, including lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip systems. This article critically reviews the current state-of-the-art and recent advances of microfluidics for single RBC analyses, including integrated sensors and microfluidic platforms for microscopic/tomographic/spectroscopic single RBC analyses, trapping arrays (including bifurcating channels), dielectrophoretic and agglutination/aggregation studies, as well as clinical implications covering cancer, sepsis, prenatal, and Sickle Cell diseases. Microfluidics based RBC microarrays, sorting/counting and trapping techniques (including acoustic, dielectrophoretic, hydrodynamic, magnetic, and optical techniques) are also reviewed. Lastly, organs on chips, multi-organ chips, and drug discovery involving single RBC are described. The limitations and drawbacks of each technology are addressed and future prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgii V. Grigorev
- Data Science and Information Technology Research Center, Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California in Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- School of Information Technology, Cherepovets State University, 162600 Cherepovets, Russia
| | - Alexander V. Lebedev
- Machine Building Department, Bauman Moscow State University, 105005 Moscow, Russia
| | - Xiaohao Wang
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Qian
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - George V. Maksimov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Physical metallurgy Department, Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education National Research Technological University “MISiS”, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Liwei Lin
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California in Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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2
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Antonelou MH. Tools and metrics for the assessment of post-storage performance of red blood cells: no one is left over. Transfusion 2023; 63:1-6. [PMID: 36537147 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna H Antonelou
- Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Panepistimiopolis, Athens, Greece
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3
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Sickle Cell Disease Pathophysiology and Related Molecular and Biophysical Biomarkers. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:1077-1095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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4
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Musick JO, Fibben KS, Lam WA. Hyperviscosity syndromes; hemorheology for physicians and the use of microfluidic devices. Curr Opin Hematol 2022; 29:290-296. [PMID: 35916537 PMCID: PMC9547821 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hyperviscosity syndromes can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Existing methods to measure microcirculatory rheology are not readily available and limited in relevance and accuracy at this level. In this review, we review selected hyperviscosity syndromes and the advancement of their knowledge using microfluidic platforms. RECENT FINDINGS Viscosity changes drastically at the microvascular level as the physical properties of the cells themselves become the major determinants of resistance to blood flow. Current, outdated viscosity measurements only quantify whole blood or serum. Changes in blood composition, cell number, or the physical properties themselves lead to increased blood viscosity. Given the significant morbidity and mortality from hyperviscosity syndromes, new biophysical tools are needed and being developed to study microvascular biophysical and hemodynamic conditions at this microvascular level to help predict those at risk and guide therapeutic treatment. SUMMARY The use of 'lab-on-a-chip' technology continues to rise to relevance with point of care, personalized testing and medicine as customizable microfluidic platforms enable independent control of many in vivo factors and are a powerful tool to study microcirculatory hemorheology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie O. Musick
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Kirby S. Fibben
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Wilbur A. Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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5
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Azul M, Vital EF, Lam WA, Wood DK, Beckman JD. Microfluidic methods to advance mechanistic understanding and translational research in sickle cell disease. Transl Res 2022; 246:1-14. [PMID: 35354090 PMCID: PMC9218997 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene of hemoglobin, which produces an altered sickle hemoglobin (HbS). The ability of HbS to polymerize under deoxygenated conditions gives rise to chronic hemolysis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vaso-occlusion. Herein, we review recent findings using microfluidic technologies that have elucidated mechanisms of oxygen-dependent and -independent induction of HbS polymerization and how these mechanisms elicit the biophysical and inflammatory consequences in SCD pathophysiology. We also discuss how validation and use of microfluidics in SCD provides the opportunity to advance development of numerous therapeutic strategies, including curative gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Azul
- Department of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Eudorah F Vital
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Wilbur A Lam
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David K Wood
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Joan D Beckman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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6
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Caruso C, Fay ME, Cheng X, Liu AY, Park SI, Sulchek TA, Graham MD, Lam WA. Pathologic mechanobiological interactions between red blood cells and endothelial cells directly induce vasculopathy in iron deficiency anemia. iScience 2022; 25:104606. [PMID: 35800766 PMCID: PMC9253485 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The correlation between cardiovascular disease and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is well documented but poorly understood. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we explore the hypothesis that the biophysical alterations of red blood cells (RBCs) in IDA, such as variable degrees of microcytosis and decreased deformability may directly induce endothelial dysfunction via mechanobiological mechanisms. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy and microfluidics, we observed that subpopulations of IDA RBCs (idRBCs) are significantly stiffer and smaller than both healthy RBCs and the remaining idRBC population. Furthermore, computational simulations demonstrated that the smaller and stiffer idRBC subpopulations marginate toward the vessel wall causing aberrant shear stresses. This leads to increased vascular inflammation as confirmed with perfusion of idRBCs into our "endothelialized" microfluidic systems. Overall, our multifaceted approach demonstrates that the altered biophysical properties of idRBCs directly lead to vasculopathy, suggesting that the IDA and cardiovascular disease association extends beyond correlation and into causation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Caruso
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 412 Emory Children’s Center, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Meredith E. Fay
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 412 Emory Children’s Center, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Xiaopo Cheng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Alan Y. Liu
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Sunita I. Park
- Department of Pathology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Todd A. Sulchek
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Michael D. Graham
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Wilbur A. Lam
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 412 Emory Children’s Center, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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7
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Rubio A, López M, Vega EJ, Cabezas MG. Fire-Shaped Nozzles to Produce a Stress Peak for Deformability Studies. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14142784. [PMID: 35890562 PMCID: PMC9321844 DOI: 10.3390/polym14142784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fire-shaped nozzles can be used to study the deformability of microcapsules, particles, or cells traveling in a flow. Though their geometry depends on the dimensions of the original glass capillary and the heating conditions, they all produce a strain rate peak approximately at the section where the diameter is 1.5 times the minimum. The intensity of this peak and the time from its position to the neck can be easily estimated from the flow rate and three geometrical parameters, without the need for any simulation. In the convergent region of these nozzles, it is possible to observe the evolution of the deformation. It is necessary to use a sufficiently long nozzle to produce the maximum deformation before the neck.
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8
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Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic as a Tool for the Study of Rheological Characteristics of Red Blood Cells in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disorder (SCD) is a multisystem disease with heterogeneous phenotypes. Although all patients have the mutated hemoglobin (Hb) in the SS phenotype, the severity and frequency of complications are variable. When exposed to low oxygen tension, the Hb molecule becomes dense and forms tactoids, which lead to the peculiar sickled shapes of the affected red blood cells, giving the disorder its name. This sickle cell morphology is responsible for the profound and widespread pathologies associated with this disorder, such as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). How much of the clinical manifestation is due to sickled erythrocytes and what is due to the relative contributions of other elements in the blood, especially in the microcapillary circulation, is usually not visualized and quantified for each patient during clinical management. Here, we used a microfluidic microcirculation mimetic (MMM), which has 187 capillary-like constrictions, to impose deformations on erythrocytes of 25 SCD patients, visualizing and characterizing the morpho-rheological properties of the cells in normoxic, hypoxic (using sodium meta-bisulfite) and treatment conditions (using hydroxyurea). The MMM enabled a patient-specific quantification of shape descriptors (circularity and roundness) and transit time through the capillary constrictions, which are readouts for morpho-rheological properties implicated in VOC. Transit times varied significantly (p < 0.001) between patients. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of microfluidics-based monitoring of individual patients for personalized care in the context of SCD complications such as VOC, even in resource-constrained settings.
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9
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Matthews K, Lamoureux ES, Myrand-Lapierre ME, Duffy SP, Ma H. Technologies for measuring red blood cell deformability. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1254-1274. [PMID: 35266475 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01058a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human red blood cells (RBCs) are approximately 8 μm in diameter, but must repeatedly deform through capillaries as small as 2 μm in order to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The loss of this capability is associated with the pathology of many diseases, and is therefore a potential biomarker for disease status and treatment efficacy. Measuring RBC deformability is a difficult problem because of the minute forces (∼pN) that must be exerted on these cells, as well as the requirements for throughput and multiplexing. The development of technologies for measuring RBC deformability date back to the 1960s with the development of micropipette aspiration, ektacytometry, and the cell transit analyzer. In the past 10 years, significant progress has been made using microfluidics by leveraging the ability to precisely control fluid flow through microstructures at the size scale of individual RBCs. These technologies have now surpassed traditional methods in terms of sensitivity, throughput, consistency, and ease of use. As a result, these efforts are beginning to move beyond feasibility studies and into applications to enable biomedical discoveries. In this review, we provide an overview of both traditional and microfluidic techniques for measuring RBC deformability. We discuss the capabilities of each technique and compare their sensitivity, throughput, and robustness in measuring bulk and single-cell RBC deformability. Finally, we discuss how these tools could be used to measure changes in RBC deformability in the context of various applications including pathologies caused by malaria and hemoglobinopathies, as well as degradation during storage in blood bags prior to blood transfusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Matthews
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erik S Lamoureux
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Myrand-Lapierre
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Simon P Duffy
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongshen Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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10
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Zhang X, Chan T, Carbonella J, Gong X, Ahmed N, Liu C, Demandel I, Zhang J, Pashankar F, Mak M. A microfluidic-informatics assay for quantitative physical occlusion measurement in sickle cell disease. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1126-1136. [PMID: 35174373 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00043a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that causes abnormalities in hemoglobin mechanics. Those affected are at high risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), which can induce life-threatening symptoms. The development of measurements related to vaso-occlusion facilitates the diagnosis of the patient's disease state. To complement existing readouts, we design a microfluidic-informatics analytical system with varied confined geometries for the quantification of sickle cell disease occlusion. We detect an increase in physical occlusion events in the most severe hemoglobin SS group. We use bioinformatics and modeling to quantify the in vitro disease severity score (DSS) of individual patients. We also show the potential effect of hydration, clinically recommended for crisis management, on reducing the disease severity of high-risk patients. Overall, we demonstrate the device as an easy-to-use assay for quick occlusion information extraction with a simple setup and minimal additional instruments. We show the device can provide physical readouts distinct from clinical data. We also show the device sensitivity in separate samples from patients with different disease severity. Finally, we demonstrate the system as a potential platform for testing the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies (e.g. hydration) on reducing sickle cell disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjian Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Trevor Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Judith Carbonella
- Section of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Xiangyu Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Noureen Ahmed
- Section of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Israel Demandel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Junqi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Farzana Pashankar
- Section of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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11
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Normalization of Blood Viscosity According to the Hematocrit and the Shear Rate. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13030357. [PMID: 35334649 PMCID: PMC8954080 DOI: 10.3390/mi13030357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The rheological properties of blood depend highly on the properties of its red blood cells: concentration, membrane elasticity, and aggregation. These properties affect the viscosity of blood as well as its shear thinning behavior. Using an experimental analysis of the interface advancement of blood in a microchannel, we determine the viscosity of different samples of blood. In this work, we present two methods that successfully normalize the viscosity of blood for a single and for different donors, first according to the concentration of erythrocytes and second according to the shear rate. The proposed methodology is able to predict the health conditions of the blood samples by introducing a non-dimensional coefficient that accounts for the response to shear rate of the different donors blood samples. By means of these normalization methods, we were able to determine the differences between the red blood cells of the samples and define a range where healthy blood samples can be described by a single behavior.
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12
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Guizouarn H, Barshtein G. Editorial: Red Blood Cell Vascular Adhesion and Deformability, Volume II. Front Physiol 2022; 13:849608. [PMID: 35250645 PMCID: PMC8896436 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.849608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Helene Guizouarn
- Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France
| | - Gregory Barshtein
- Biochemical Department, The Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- *Correspondence: Gregory Barshtein
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13
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Microfluidics Approach to the Mechanical Properties of Red Blood Cell Membrane and Their Effect on Blood Rheology. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12020217. [PMID: 35207138 PMCID: PMC8878405 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we describe the general features of red blood cell membranes and their effect on blood flow and blood rheology. We first present a basic description of membranes and move forward to red blood cell membranes’ characteristics and modeling. We later review the specific properties of red blood cells, presenting recent numerical and experimental microfluidics studies that elucidate the effect of the elastic properties of the red blood cell membrane on blood flow and hemorheology. Finally, we describe specific hemorheological pathologies directly related to the mechanical properties of red blood cells and their effect on microcirculation, reviewing microfluidic applications for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
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14
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Liu Y, Wang K, Sun X, Chen D, Wang J, Chen J. Advance of microfluidic constriction channel system of measuring single-cell cortical tension/specific capacitance of membrane and conductivity of cytoplasm. Cytometry A 2021; 101:434-447. [PMID: 34821462 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper reported a microfluidic platform which realized the characterization of inherent single-cell biomechanical and bioelectrical parameters simultaneously. Individual cells traveled through a constriction channel with deformation images and impedance variations captured and processed into cortical tension Tc , specific membrane capacitance Csm , and cytoplasmic conductivity σcy based on an equivalent biophysical model. These properties of thousands of individual cells of K562, Jurkat, HL-60, HL-60 treated with paraformaldehyde (PA)/cytochalasin D (CD)/concanavalin A (ConA), granulocytes of Donor 1, Donor 2, and Donor 3 were quantified for the first time. Leveraging Tc , Csm , and σcy , (1) high accuracies of classifying wild-type and processed HL-60 cells (e.g., 93.5% of PA treated vs. CD treated HL-60 cells) were realized, revealing the effectiveness of using these three biophysical parameters in cell-type classification; (2) low accuracies of classifying normal granulocytes from three donors (e.g., 56.4% of Donor 1 vs. 2), indicating comparable parameters for normal granulocytes. In conclusion, this platform can characterize single-cell Tc , Csm , and σcy concurrently and quantify multiple parameters in single-cell analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology (SKLTT), Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.,School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering (EECE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wang
- School of Electronic Engineering, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohao Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Deyong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology (SKLTT), Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.,School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering (EECE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Junbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology (SKLTT), Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.,School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering (EECE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology (SKLTT), Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.,School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering (EECE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
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15
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Barshtein G, Pajic-Lijakovic I, Gural A. Deformability of Stored Red Blood Cells. Front Physiol 2021; 12:722896. [PMID: 34690797 PMCID: PMC8530101 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.722896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) deformability refers to the cells’ ability to adapt their shape to the dynamically changing flow conditions so as to minimize their resistance to flow. The high red cell deformability enables it to pass through small blood vessels and significantly determines erythrocyte survival. Under normal physiological states, the RBCs are attuned to allow for adequate blood flow. However, rigid erythrocytes can disrupt the perfusion of peripheral tissues and directly block microvessels. Therefore, RBC deformability has been recognized as a sensitive indicator of RBC functionality. The loss of deformability, which a change in the cell shape can cause, modification of cell membrane or a shift in cytosol composition, can occur due to various pathological conditions or as a part of normal RBC aging (in vitro or in vivo). However, despite extensive research, we still do not fully understand the processes leading to increased cell rigidity under cold storage conditions in a blood bank (in vitro aging), In the present review, we discuss publications that examined the effect of RBCs’ cold storage on their deformability and the biological mechanisms governing this change. We first discuss the change in the deformability of cells during their cold storage. After that, we consider storage-related alterations in RBCs features, which can lead to impaired cell deformation. Finally, we attempt to trace a causal relationship between the observed phenomena and offer recommendations for improving the functionality of stored cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Barshtein
- Biochemistry Department, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Alexander Gural
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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16
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Abstract
Microengineering advances have enabled the development of perfusable, endothelialized models of the microvasculature that recapitulate the unique biological and biophysical conditions of the microcirculation in vivo. Indeed, at that size scale (<100 μm)-where blood no longer behaves as a simple continuum fluid; blood cells approximate the size of the vessels themselves; and complex interactions among blood cells, plasma molecules, and the endothelium constantly ensue-vascularized microfluidics are ideal tools to investigate these microvascular phenomena. Moreover, perfusable, endothelialized microfluidics offer unique opportunities for investigating microvascular diseases by enabling systematic dissection of both the blood and vascular components of the pathophysiology at hand. We review (a) the state of the art in microvascular devices and (b) the myriad of microvascular diseases and pressing challenges. The engineering community has unique opportunities to innovate with new microvascular devices and to partner with biomedical researchers to usher in a new era of understanding and discovery of microvascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Myers
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA; ,
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Wilbur A Lam
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA; ,
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the significant biophysical and rheological aspects of red blood cell physiology and pathophysiology in relation to recent advances in microfluidic biomarker assays and emerging targeted or curative intent therapies. RECENT FINDINGS Alterations in red cell biophysical properties and blood rheology have been associated with numerous hematologic and circulatory disorders. Recent advances in biomarker assays enable effective assessment of these biophysical and rheological properties in normoxia or physiological hypoxia in a clinically meaningful way. There are emerging targeted or curative therapies that aim to improve red cell pathophysiology, especially in the context of inherited hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease. SUMMARY Red cell pathophysiology can be therapeutically targeted and the improvements in membrane and cellular biophysics and blood rheology can now be feasibly assessed via new microfluidic biomarker assays. Recent advances provide a new hope and novel treatment options for major red cell ailments, including inherited hemoglobin disorders, membrane disorders, and other pathologies of the red cell, such as malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut A. Gurkan
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Häner E, Vesperini D, Salsac AV, Le Goff A, Juel A. Sorting of capsules according to their stiffness: from principle to application. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3722-3732. [PMID: 33688883 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02249g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We assess experimentally the ability of a simple flow-based sorting device, recently proposed numerically by [Zhu et al., Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 7705-7711], to separate capsules according to their stiffness. The device consists of a single pillar with a half-cylinder cross-section which partially obstructs a flow channel so that initially centred, propagating capsules deform and circumvent the obstacle into an expanding channel (or diffuser). We perform experiments with millimetric capsules of fixed size which indicate that the deviation of the capsule in the diffuser varies monotonically with a capillary number - the ratio of viscous to elastic stresses - where the elastic stresses are measured independently to include the effects of pre-inflation, membrane thickness and material properties. We find that soft capsules with resistance to deformation differing by a factor of 1.5 can be reliably separated in the diffuser but that experimental variability increases significantly with capsule stiffness. We extend the study to populations of microcapsules with size polydispersity. We find that the combined effects of increasing capsule deformability and relative constriction of the device with increasing capsule size enable the tuning of the imposed flow so that capsules can be separated based on their shear modulus but irrespectively of their size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Häner
- Manchester Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics & School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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Man Y, Maji D, An R, Ahuja SP, Little JA, Suster MA, Mohseni P, Gurkan UA. Microfluidic electrical impedance assessment of red blood cell-mediated microvascular occlusion. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1036-1048. [PMID: 33666615 PMCID: PMC8170703 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01133a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs), occurring in hemolytic blood disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD), contribute to vaso-occlusion and disease pathophysiology. There are few functional in vitro assays for standardized assessment of RBC-mediated microvascular occlusion. Here, we present the design, fabrication, and clinical testing of the Microfluidic Impedance Red Cell Assay (MIRCA) with embedded capillary network-based micropillar arrays and integrated electrical impedance measurement electrodes to address this need. The micropillar arrays consist of microcapillaries ranging from 12 μm to 3 μm, with each array paired with two sputtered gold electrodes to measure the impedance change of the array before and after sample perfusion through the microfluidic device. We define RBC occlusion index (ROI) and RBC electrical impedance index (REI), which represent the cumulative percentage occlusion and cumulative percentage impedance change, respectively. We demonstrate the promise of MIRCA in two common red cell disorders, SCD and hereditary spherocytosis. We show that the electrical impedance measurement reflects the microvascular occlusion, where REI significantly correlates with ROI that is obtained via high-resolution microscopy imaging of the microcapillary arrays. Further, we show that RBC-mediated microvascular occlusion, represented by ROI and REI, associates with clinical treatment outcomes and correlates with in vivo hemolytic biomarkers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) in SCD. Impedance measurement obviates the need for high-resolution imaging, enabling future translation of this technology for widespread access, portable and point-of-care use. Our findings suggest that the presented microfluidic design and the integrated electrical impedance measurement provide a reproducible functional test for standardized assessment of RBC-mediated microvascular occlusion. MIRCA and the newly defined REI may serve as an in vitro therapeutic efficacy benchmark for assessing the clinical outcome of emerging RBC-modifying targeted and curative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuncheng Man
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Barshtein G, Gural A, Zelig O, Arbell D, Yedgar S. Unit-to-unit variability in the deformability of red blood cells. Transfus Apher Sci 2020; 59:102876. [PMID: 32690367 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2020.102876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In blood banking practice, the storage duration is used as the primary criterion for inventory management, and usually, the packed red blood cells (PRBC) units are supplied primarily according to first-in-first-out (FIFO) principle. However, the actual functionality of individual PRBC units is mostly ignored. One of the main features of the RBCs not accounted for under this approach is the deformability of the red cells, i.e., their ability to affect the recipients' blood flow. The objective of the study was to analyze unit-to-unit variability in the deformability of PRBCs during their cold storage. METHODS RBC samples were obtained from twenty leukoreduced PRBC units, stored in SAGM. The deformability of cells was monitored from the day of donation throughout 42 days. RBC deformability was determined using the computerized cell flow-properties analyzer (CFA) based on cell elongation under a shear stress of 3.0 Pa, expressed by the elongation-ratio (ER). The image analysis determines the ER for each cell and provides the ER distribution in the population of 3000-6000 cells. RESULTS The deformability of freshly-collected RBCs exhibited marked variability already on the day of donation. We also found that the aging curve of PRBC deformability varies significantly among donors. SIGNIFICANCE The present study has demonstrated that storage duration is only one of the factors, and seemingly not even the major one, affecting the PRBCs functionality. Therefore, the FIFO approach is not sufficient for assessing the potential transfusion outcome, and the PRBC functionality should be determined explicitly for each unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Barshtein
- Department of Biochemistry, Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Alexander Gural
- Blood Bank, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Orly Zelig
- Blood Bank, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dan Arbell
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Saul Yedgar
- Department of Biochemistry, Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
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