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Prudinnik DS, Kussanova A, Vorobjev IA, Tikhonov A, Ataullakhanov FI, Barteneva NS. Deformability of Heterogeneous Red Blood Cells in Aging and Related Pathologies. Aging Dis 2025:AD.2024.0526. [PMID: 39012672 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is interrelated with changes in red blood cell parameters and functionality. In this article, we focus on red blood cells (RBCs) and provide a review of the known changes associated with the characterization of RBC deformability in aging and related pathologies. The biophysical parameters complement the commonly used biochemical parameters and may contribute to a better understanding of the aging process. The power of the deformability measurement approach is well established in clinical settings. Measuring RBCs' deformability has the advantage of relative simplicity, and it reflects the complex effects developing in erythrocytes during aging. However, aging and related pathological conditions also promote heterogeneity of RBC features and have a certain impact on the variance in erythrocyte cell properties. The possible applications of deformability as an early biophysical biomarker of pathological states are discussed, and modulating PIEZO1 as a therapeutic target is suggested. The changes in RBCs' shape can serve as a proxy for deformability evaluation, leveraging single-cell analysis with imaging flow cytometry and artificial intelligence algorithms. The characterization of biophysical parameters of RBCs is in progress in humans and will provide a better understanding of the complex dynamics of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry S Prudinnik
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Aigul Kussanova
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Ivan A Vorobjev
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Alexander Tikhonov
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Fazly I Ataullakhanov
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Natasha S Barteneva
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
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Blanch AJ, Nunez-Iglesias J, Namvar A, Menant S, Looker O, Rajagopal V, Tham WH, Tilley L, Dixon MW. Multimodal imaging reveals membrane skeleton reorganisation during reticulocyte maturation and differences in dimple and rim regions of mature erythrocytes. J Struct Biol X 2022; 6:100056. [PMID: 34977554 PMCID: PMC8688873 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2021.100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multimodal microscopies reveal dynamic changes in erythrocyte membrane skeleton architecture. Reticulocytes have 30% more surface area than mature erythrocytes but only slightly lower skeletal meshwork coverage. The spectrin-based skeleton reorganises during reticulocyte maturation. Inhomogeneity within the erythrocyte’s membrane skeleton underpins its biconcave disc shape.
The red blood cell (RBC) is remarkable in its ability to deform as it passages through the vasculature. Its deformability derives from a spectrin-actin protein network that supports the cell membrane and provides strength and flexibility, however questions remain regarding the assembly and maintenance of the skeletal network. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) we have examined the nanoscale architecture of the cytoplasmic side of membrane discs prepared from reticulocytes and mature RBCs. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to probe the distribution of spectrin and other membrane skeleton proteins. We found that the cell surface area decreases by up to 30% and the spectrin-actin network increases in density by approximately 20% as the reticulocyte matures. By contrast, the inter-junctional distance and junctional density increase only by 3–4% and 5–9%, respectively. This suggests that the maturation-associated reduction in surface area is accompanied by an increase in spectrin self-association to form higher order oligomers. We also examined the mature RBC membrane in the edge (rim) and face (dimple) regions of mature RBCs and found the rim contains about 1.5% more junctional complexes compared to the dimple region. A 2% increase in band 4.1 density in the rim supports these structural measurements.
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Katyukhin LN, Novozhilov AV. Dynamics of Deformation Properties of Erythrocytes in Wistar Rats during Postnatal Ontogeny. Bull Exp Biol Med 2021; 172:5-8. [PMID: 34792712 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-021-05319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We performed a detailed analysis of changes in the profiles of osmotic deformability using the method of gradient ektacytometry. Changes in all determinants that form the deformation properties of red blood cells in Wistar rats in the juvenile period and before puberty were determined. The dynamics of the formation of the rheological properties of the blood after birth is characterized by a wave-like change in the studied determinants. The changes are explained by adaptive reactions to extrauterine life as a result of hematopoiesis activation and the transition of the red bone marrow to a new level of functioning with the predominant replacement of physiological reticulocytosis in newborns with mature erythrocytes. The most critical period is from 10 days to 1 month after birth. Starting from the second month, the deformation parameters of erythrocytes are stabilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- L N Katyukhin
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - A V Novozhilov
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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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: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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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Man Y, Kucukal E, An R, Bode A, Little JA, Gurkan UA. Standardized microfluidic assessment of red blood cell-mediated microcapillary occlusion: Association with clinical phenotype and hydroxyurea responsiveness in sickle cell disease. Microcirculation 2021; 28:e12662. [PMID: 33025653 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We present a standardized in vitro microfluidic assay and Occlusion Index (OI) for the assessment of red blood cell (RBC)-mediated microcapillary occlusion and its clinical associations in sickle cell disease (SCD). METHODS Red blood cell mediated microcapillary occlusion represented by OI and its clinical associations were assessed for seven subjects with hemoglobin-SC disease (HbSC), 18 subjects with homozygous SCD (HbSS), and five control individuals (HbAA). RESULTS We identified two sub-populations with HbSS based on the OI distribution. HbSS subjects with relatively higher OIs had significantly lower hemoglobin levels, lower fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels, and lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV), but significantly higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels and absolute reticulocyte counts, compared to subjects with HbSS and lower OIs. HbSS subjects who had relatively higher OIs were more likely to have had a concomitant diagnosis of intrapulmonary shunting (IPS). Further, lower OI associated with hydroxyurea (HU) responsiveness in subjects with HbSS, as evidenced by significantly elevated HbF levels and MCV. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that RBC-mediated microcapillary occlusion and OI associated with subject clinical phenotype and HU responsiveness in SCD. The presented standardized microfluidic assay may be useful for evaluating clinical phenotype and assessing therapeutic outcomes in SCD, including emerging targeted and curative treatments that aim to improve RBC deformability and microcirculatory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuncheng Man
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Erdem Kucukal
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ran An
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Allison Bode
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jane A Little
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Umut A Gurkan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Herisson F, Zhou I, Mawet J, Du E, Barfejani AH, Qin T, Cipolla MJ, Sun PZ, Rost NS, Ayata C. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats on high-salt diet. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019; 39:1232-1246. [PMID: 29350576 PMCID: PMC6668522 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17752795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) on high-salt diet are characterized by extremely high arterial pressures, and have been endorsed as a model for hypertensive small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment. However, rapidly developing malignant hypertension is a well-known cause of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in humans, associated with acute neurological deficits, seizures, vasogenic cerebral edema and microhemorrhages. In this study, we aimed to examine the overlap between human PRES and SHRSP on high-salt diet. In SHRSP, arterial blood pressure progressively increased after the onset of high-salt diet and seizure-like signs emerged within three to five weeks. MRI revealed progressive T2-hyperintense lesions suggestive of vasogenic edema predominantly in the cortical watershed and white matter regions. Histopathology confirmed severe blood-brain barrier disruption, white matter vacuolization and microbleeds that were more severe posteriorly. Hematological data suggested a thrombotic microangiopathy as a potential underlying mechanism. Unilateral common carotid artery occlusion protected the ipsilateral hemisphere from neuropathological abnormalities. Notably, all MRI and histopathological abnormalities were acutely reversible upon switching to regular diet and starting antihypertensive treatment. Altogether our data suggest that SHRSP on high-salt diet recapitulates the neurological, histopathological and imaging features of human PRES rather than chronic progressive small vessel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Herisson
- 1 Department of Radiology, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Iris Zhou
- 2 Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jerome Mawet
- 1 Department of Radiology, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,3 Emergency Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Lariboisière Hospital, APHP, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - E Du
- 4 Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL USA
| | - Arnavaz H Barfejani
- 1 Department of Radiology, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Tao Qin
- 1 Department of Radiology, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Marilyn J Cipolla
- 5 Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Philip Z Sun
- 2 Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Natalia S Rost
- 6 J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cenk Ayata
- 1 Department of Radiology, Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,7 Department of Neurology, Stroke Service, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Słoczyńska K, Kózka M, Marona H. Rheological properties of young and aged erythrocytes in chronic venous disease patients with varicose veins. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 60:171-8. [PMID: 23594503 DOI: 10.3233/ch-131715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesize that heterogeneity in RBC rheology can be attributed not only to the aging process but also to various disease states. The present study aims at investigating the rheological properties of young and old RBC in chronic venous disease (CVD) patients. RBC were separated on the basis of their density. RBC rheology was assessed with Laser Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer. For medium and high shear stress elongation index (EI) of young RBC from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls. The same was observed for the old cells. Threshold shear rate (THR) of young RBC from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls indicating a decreased tendency towards the formation of aggregates and of their stability in CVD patients. The same situation was observed for the old cells. To sum up, the present study demonstrated that heterogeneity in RBC rheology is both affected by age and CVD. Additionally, CVD-induced changes in RBC rheology occur to different degrees among the subpopulations of young and old RBC. CVD patients subpopulations of RBC had higher deformability and increased tendency towards aggregates formation and of their stability when compared to appropriate subpopulations of controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Słoczyńska
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kózka
- 5th Military Hospital with Polyclinic, Cracow, Poland
| | - Henryk Marona
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
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Bow H, Pivkin I, Diez-Silva M, Goldfless SJ, Dao M, Niles JC, Suresh S, Han J. A microfabricated deformability-based flow cytometer with application to malaria. LAB ON A CHIP 2011; 11:1065-73. [PMID: 21293801 PMCID: PMC3366288 DOI: 10.1039/c0lc00472c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Malaria resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection is a major cause of human suffering and mortality. Red blood cell (RBC) deformability plays a major role in the pathogenesis of malaria. Here we introduce an automated microfabricated "deformability cytometer" that measures dynamic mechanical responses of 10(3) to 10(4) individual RBCs in a cell population. Fluorescence measurements of each RBC are simultaneously acquired, resulting in a population-based correlation between biochemical properties, such as cell surface markers, and dynamic mechanical deformability. This device is especially applicable to heterogeneous cell populations. We demonstrate its ability to mechanically characterize a small number of P. falciparum-infected (ring stage) RBCs in a large population of uninfected RBCs. Furthermore, we are able to infer quantitative mechanical properties of individual RBCs from the observed dynamic behavior through a dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) model. These methods collectively provide a systematic approach to characterize the biomechanical properties of cells in a high-throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansen Bow
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Igor Pivkin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Monica Diez-Silva
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Stephen J. Goldfless
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Ming Dao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Jacquin C. Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Subra Suresh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Jongyoon Han
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
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Cecchi E, Marcucci R, Paniccia R, Bandinelli B, Valente S, Giglioli C, Lazzeri C, Gensini GF, Abbate R, Mannini L. Effect of blood hematocrit and erythrocyte deformability on adenosine 5'-diphosphate platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndromes on dual antiplatelet therapy. Am J Cardiol 2009; 104:764-8. [PMID: 19733708 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2009] [Revised: 05/02/2009] [Accepted: 05/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have explored the association between hemorheologic alterations and aspirin resistance, pointing out the possible interaction between hematologic components and platelet responsiveness to antiplatelet drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hemorheologic variables and residual platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention on dual antiplatelet therapy. The study population included 528 patients with ACSs. Hemorheologic studies were performed by assessing whole blood viscosity at 0.512 and 94.5/second, plasma viscosity, and erythrocyte deformability index. Post-treatment platelet reactivity was investigated by measuring platelet aggregation by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) 10 mumol and a value >70% was defined as high ADP platelet reactivity. Significantly (p <0.01) lower values of hematocrit and erythrocyte deformability and higher values of whole blood viscosity at 94.5/second were found in patients with high ADP platelet reactivity. At multivariate analysis, lower values of hematocrit and erythrocyte deformability index and higher values of whole blood viscosity at 94.5/second and leukocytes (highest vs lowest tertile) also resulted in an independent association with high platelet reactivity, except for leukocytes, after simultaneous adjustment for hematocrit, leukocyte count, and erythrocyte deformability index. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the influence of hematocrit and of erythrocyte deformability on ADP platelet reactivity. These variables could be considered to optimize treatment with antiplatelet therapy in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Cecchi
- Dipartimento di Area Critica Medico-Chirurgica, Centro Trombosi, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
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Brandão R, Borges LP, Oliveira RD, Rocha JBT, Nogueira CW. Diphenyl diselenide protects against hematological and immunological alterations induced by mercury in mice. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2008; 22:311-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.20242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Oesterling E, Chopra N, Gavalas V, Arzuaga X, Lim EJ, Sultana R, Butterfield DA, Bachas L, Hennig B. Alumina nanoparticles induce expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Toxicol Lett 2008; 178:160-6. [PMID: 18456438 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2007] [Revised: 03/12/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2008] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing industry that has elicited much concern because of the lack of available toxicity data. Exposure to ultrafine particles may be a risk for the development of vascular diseases due to dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. Increased endothelial adhesiveness is a critical first step in the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The hypothesis that alumina nanoparticles increase inflammatory markers of the endothelium, measured by the induction of adhesion molecules as well as the adhesion of monocytes to the endothelial monolayer, was tested. Following characterization of alumina nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, and particle size distribution analysis, endothelial cells were exposed to alumina at various concentrations and times. Both porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed increased mRNA and protein expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and ELAM-1. Furthermore, human endothelial cells treated with alumina particles showed increased adhesion of activated monocytes. The alumina particles tended to agglomerate at physiological pH in serum-containing media, which led to a range of particle sizes from nano to micron size during treatment conditions. These data show that alumina nanoparticles can elicit a proinflammatory response and thus present a cardiovascular disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Oesterling
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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