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Ali DS, Sofela SO, Deliorman M, Sukumar P, Abdulhamid MS, Yakubu S, Rooney C, Garrod R, Menachery A, Hijazi R, Saadi H, Qasaimeh MA. OMEF biochip for evaluating red blood cell deformability using dielectrophoresis as a diagnostic tool for type 2 diabetes mellitus. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2906-2919. [PMID: 38721867 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01016c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent and debilitating disease with numerous health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney dysfunction, and nerve damage. One important aspect of T2DM is its association with the abnormal morphology of red blood cells (RBCs), which leads to increased blood viscosity and impaired blood flow. Therefore, evaluating the mechanical properties of RBCs is crucial for understanding the role of T2DM in cellular deformability. This provides valuable insights into disease progression and potential diagnostic applications. In this study, we developed an open micro-electro-fluidic (OMEF) biochip technology based on dielectrophoresis (DEP) to assess the deformability of RBCs in T2DM. The biochip facilitates high-throughput single-cell RBC stretching experiments, enabling quantitative measurements of the cell size, strain, stretch factor, and post-stretching relaxation time. Our results confirm the significant impact of T2DM on the deformability of RBCs. Compared to their healthy counterparts, diabetic RBCs exhibit ∼27% increased size and ∼29% reduced stretch factor, suggesting potential biomarkers for monitoring T2DM. The observed dynamic behaviors emphasize the contrast between the mechanical characteristics, where healthy RBCs demonstrate notable elasticity and diabetic RBCs exhibit plastic behavior. These differences highlight the significance of mechanical characteristics in understanding the implications for RBCs in T2DM. With its ∼90% sensitivity and rapid readout (ultimately within a few minutes), the OMEF biochip holds potential as an effective point-of-care diagnostic tool for evaluating the deformability of RBCs in individuals with T2DM and tracking disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima Samer Ali
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Samuel O Sofela
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Muhammedin Deliorman
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Pavithra Sukumar
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ma-Sum Abdulhamid
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sherifa Yakubu
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ciara Rooney
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ryan Garrod
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anoop Menachery
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, Paola, Malta
| | - Rabih Hijazi
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hussein Saadi
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad A Qasaimeh
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, New York, USA
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Elitas M, Islam M, Korvink JG, Sengul E, Sharbati P, Ozogul B, Kaymaz SV. Quantifying Deformation and Migration Properties of U87 Glioma Cells Using Dielectrophoretic Forces. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:946. [PMID: 36354455 PMCID: PMC9688500 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumors. To design effective treatment strategies, we need to better understand the behavior of glioma cells while maintaining their genetic and phenotypic stability. Here, we investigated the deformation and migration profile of U87 Glioma cells under the influence of dielectrophoretic forces. We fabricated a gold microelectrode array within a microfluidic channel and applied sinusoidal wave AC potential at 3 Vpp, ranging from 30 kHz to 10 MHz frequencies, to generate DEP forces. We followed the dielectrophoretic movement and deformation changes of 100 glioma cells at each frequency. We observed that the mean dielectrophoretic displacements of glioma cells were significantly different at varying frequencies with the maximum and minimum traveling distances of 13.22 µm and 1.37 µm, respectively. The dielectrophoretic deformation indexes of U87 glioma cells altered between 0.027-0.040. It was 0.036 in the absence of dielectrophoretic forces. This approach presents a rapid, robust, and sensitive characterization method for quantifying membrane deformation of glioma cells to determine the state of the cells or efficacy of administrated drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meltem Elitas
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Monsur Islam
- Institute for Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jan G. Korvink
- Institute for Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Esra Sengul
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Pouya Sharbati
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Beyzanur Ozogul
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Sumeyra Vural Kaymaz
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
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3
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Chen Y, Guo K, Jiang L, Zhu S, Ni Z, Xiang N. Microfluidic deformability cytometry: A review. Talanta 2022; 251:123815. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Automated measurement of cell mechanical properties using an integrated dielectrophoretic microfluidic device. iScience 2022; 25:104275. [PMID: 35602969 PMCID: PMC9114521 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanics is closely related to and interacts with cellular functions, which has the potential to be an effective biomarker to indicate disease onset and progression. Although several techniques have been developed for measuring cell mechanical properties, the issues of limited measurement data and biological significance because of complex and labor-intensive manipulation remain to be addressed, especially for the dielectrophoresis-based approach that is difficult to utilize flow measurement techniques. In this work, a dielectrophoresis-based solution is proposed to automatically obtain mass cellular mechanical data by combining a designed microfluidic device integrated the functions of cell capture, dielectrophoretic stretching, and cell release and an automatic control scheme. Experiments using human umbilical vein endothelial cells and breast cells revealed the automation capability of this device. The proposed method provides an effective way to address the low-throughput problem of dielectrophoresis-based cell mechanical property measurements, which enhance the biostatistical significance for cellular mechanism studies. Cell capture, dielectrophoretic stretching, and release in one microfluidic chip Automatic measurement scheme to realize circularly measurement Automatic acquisition of large amounts of cell mechanical properties data Significant advances in dielectrophoretic measurement of cell mechanical properties
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5
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Electrodeformation of White Blood Cells Enriched with Gold Nanoparticles. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The elasticity of white blood cells (WBCs) provides valuable insight into the condition of the cells themselves, the presence of some diseases, as well as immune system activity. In this work, we describe a novel process of refined control of WBCs’ elasticity through a combined use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and the microelectrode array device. The capture and controlled deformation of gold nanoparticles enriched white blood cells in vitro are demonstrated and quantified. Gold nanoparticles enhance the effect of electrically induced deformation and make the DEP-related processes more controllable.
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Guo X, Sun M, Yang Y, Xu H, Liu J, He S, Wang Y, Xu L, Pang W, Duan X. Controllable Cell Deformation Using Acoustic Streaming for Membrane Permeability Modulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002489. [PMID: 33552859 PMCID: PMC7856903 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Hydrodynamic force loading platforms for controllable cell mechanical deformation play an essential role in modern cell technologies. Current systems require assistance from specific microstructures thus limiting the controllability and flexibility in cell shape modulation, and studies on real-time 3D cell morphology analysis are still absent. This article presents a novel platform based on acoustic streaming generated from a gigahertz device for cell shape control and real-time cell deformation analysis. Details in cell deformation and the restoration process are thoroughly studied on the platform, and cell behavior control at the microscale is successfully achieved by tuning the treating time, intensity, and wave form of the streaming. The application of this platform in cell membrane permeability modulation and analysis is also exploited. Based on the membrane reorganization during cell deformation, the effects of deformation extent and deformation patterns on membrane permeability to micro- and macromolecules are revealed. This technology has shown its unique superiorities in cell mechanical manipulation such as high flexibility, high accuracy, and pure fluid force operation, indicating its promising prospect as a reliable tool for cell property study and drug therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Mengjie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Huihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Ji Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Shan He
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Linyan Xu
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto‐electronics EngineeringTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Wei Pang
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto‐electronics EngineeringTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Xuexin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & InstrumentsTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
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7
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Liang W, Yang X, Wang J, Wang Y, Yang W, Liu L. Determination of Dielectric Properties of Cells using AC Electrokinetic-based Microfluidic Platform: A Review of Recent Advances. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E513. [PMID: 32438680 PMCID: PMC7281274 DOI: 10.3390/mi11050513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell dielectric properties, a type of intrinsic property of cells, can be used as electrophysiological biomarkers that offer a label-free way to characterize cell phenotypes and states, purify clinical samples, and identify target cancer cells. Here, we present a review of the determination of cell dielectric properties using alternating current (AC) electrokinetic-based microfluidic mechanisms, including electro-rotation (ROT) and dielectrophoresis (DEP). The review covers theoretically how ROT and DEP work to extract cell dielectric properties. We also dive into the details of differently structured ROT chips, followed by a discussion on the determination of cell dielectric properties and the use of these properties in bio-related applications. Additionally, the review offers a look at the future challenges facing the AC electrokinetic-based microfluidic platform in terms of acquiring cell dielectric parameters. Our conclusion is that this platform will bring biomedical and bioengineering sciences to the next level and ultimately achieve the shift from lab-oriented research to real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Liang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China; (X.Y.); (J.W.)
| | - Xieliu Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China; (X.Y.); (J.W.)
| | - Junhai Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China; (X.Y.); (J.W.)
| | - Yuechao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China;
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China;
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China;
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Ha Y, Kim TH, Shim JE, Yoon S, Jun MJ, Cho YH, Lee HC. Circulating tumor cells are associated with poor outcomes in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study. Hepatol Int 2019; 13:726-735. [PMID: 31691073 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-019-09994-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies evaluating association between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown inconsistent results due to suboptimal detection methods and patient heterogeneity. METHODS Patients undergoing surgery for early-stage HCC were prospectively enrolled. The CTC numbers were determined using a tapered slit platform, which detects CTCs based on the cell size and morphology. Survival and recurrence were evaluated, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to demonstrate the prognostic significance of CTC. RESULTS Of 105 patients, 25 had increased CTC numbers after surgery (ΔCTC > 0, defined as positive) and a significantly higher level of recurrence (p = 0.042). A positive ΔCTC was seen to be an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio 2.28), along with hepatitis B virus infection, alanine aminotransferase level, and the presence of satellite nodules (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that a positive ΔCTC was associated with lower survival and higher recurrence among patients with low alpha-fetoprotein levels and cirrhosis (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Calculation of ΔCTC based on the physical properties of the cells is predictive of recurrence in patients with early HCC undergoing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonjung Ha
- Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.,Department of Gastroenterology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59 Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, South Korea
| | - Tae Hun Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University, 1071 Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, 07985, South Korea
| | - Jae Eul Shim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Cell Bench Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Sunghyun Yoon
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Cell Bench Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Mi Jung Jun
- Good Gang-An Hospital, 40-1, Namcheondong, Suyoung-gu, Busan, 48365, South Korea
| | - Young-Ho Cho
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Cell Bench Research Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Han Chu Lee
- Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.
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9
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Elucidating the mechanism governing cell rotation under DEP using the volumetric polarization and integration method. Biomed Microdevices 2018; 20:81. [PMID: 30196336 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-018-0327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cell rotation can be achieved by utilizing rotating electric fields through which torques are generated due to phase difference between the dipole moment of cells and the external electric field. While reports of cell rotation under non-rotating electrical fields, such as dielectrophoresis (DEP), are abound, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Because of this, contradicting arguments remain regarding if a single cell can rotate under conventional DEP. What's more, the current prevailing DEP theory is not adequate for identifying the cause for such disagreements. In this work we applied our recently developed Volumetric Polarization and Integration (VPI) method to investigate the possible causes for cell rotation under conventional DEP. Three-dimensional (3D) computer models dealing with a cell in a DEP environment were developed to quantify the force and torque imparted on the cell by the external DEP field using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Modeling results suggest that eccentric inclusions with low conductivity inside the cell will generate torques (either in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions) sufficient to cause cell rotation under DEP. For validation of modeling predictions, experiments with rat adipose stem cells containing large lipid droplets were conducted. Good agreement between our modeling and experimental results suggests that the VPI method is powerful in elucidating the underlying mechanisms governing the complicated DEP phenomena.
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10
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Modeling erythrocyte electrodeformation in response to amplitude modulated electric waveforms. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10224. [PMID: 29976935 PMCID: PMC6033869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28503-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a comprehensive theoretical-experimental framework for quantitative, high-throughput study of cell biomechanics. An improved electrodeformation method has been developed by combing dielectrophoresis and amplitude shift keying, a form of amplitude modulation. This method offers a potential to fully control the magnitude and rate of deformation in cell membranes. In healthy human red blood cells, nonlinear viscoelasticity of cell membranes is obtained through variable amplitude load testing. A mathematical model to predict cellular deformations is validated using the experimental results of healthy human red blood cells subjected to various types of loading. These results demonstrate new capabilities of the electrodeformation technique and the validated mathematical model to explore the effects of different loading configurations on the cellular mechanical behavior. This gives it more advantages over existing methods and can be further developed to study the effects of strain rate and loading waveform on the mechanical properties of biological cells in health and disease.
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11
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Abstract
We envision that electrodeformation of biological cells through dielectrophoresis as a new technique to elucidate the mechanistic details underlying membrane failure by electrical and mechanical stresses. Here we demonstrate the full control of cellular uniaxial deformation and tensile recovery in biological cells via amplitude-modified electric field at radio frequency by an interdigitated electrode array in microfluidics. Transient creep and cyclic experiments were performed on individually tracked human erythrocytes. Observations of the viscoelastic-to-viscoplastic deformation behavior and the localized plastic deformations in erythrocyte membranes suggest that electromechanical stress results in irreversible membrane failure. Examples of membrane failure can be separated into different groups according to the loading scenarios: mechanical stiffening, physical damage, morphological transformation from discocyte to echinocyte, and whole cell lysis. These results show that this technique can be potentially utilized to explore membrane failure in erythrocytes affected by other pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Du
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-561-297-3441
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12
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Parrow NL, Violet PC, Tu H, Nichols J, Pittman CA, Fitzhugh C, Fleming RE, Mohandas N, Tisdale JF, Levine M. Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29364234 DOI: 10.3791/56910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Decreased red cell deformability is characteristic of several disorders. In some cases, the extent of defective deformability can predict severity of disease or occurrence of serious complications. Ektacytometry uses laser diffraction viscometry to measure the deformability of red blood cells subject to either increasing shear stress or an osmotic gradient at a constant value of applied shear stress. However, direct deformability measurements are difficult to interpret when measuring heterogenous blood that is characterized by the presence of both rigid and deformable red cells. This is due to the inability of rigid cells to properly align in response to shear stress and results in a distorted diffraction pattern marked by an exaggerated decrease in apparent deformability. Measurement of the degree of distortion provides an indicator of the heterogeneity of the erythrocytes in blood. In sickle cell anemia, this is correlated with the percentage of rigid cells, which reflects the hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin composition of the erythrocytes. In addition to measuring deformability, osmotic gradient ektacytometry provides information about the osmotic fragility and hydration status of erythrocytes. These parameters also reflect the hemoglobin composition of red blood cells from sickle cell patients. Ektacytometry measures deformability in populations of red cells and does not, therefore, provide information on the deformability or mechanical properties of individual erythrocytes. Regardless, the goal of the techniques described herein is to provide a convenient and reliable method for measuring the deformability and cellular heterogeneity of blood. These techniques may be useful for monitoring temporal changes, as well as disease progression and response to therapeutic intervention in several disorders. Sickle cell anemia is one well-characterized example. Other potential disorders where measurements of red cell deformability and/or heterogeneity are of interest include blood storage, diabetes, Plasmodium infection, iron deficiency, and the hemolytic anemias due to membrane defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermi L Parrow
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine;
| | - Pierre-Christian Violet
- Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | - Hongbin Tu
- Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | - James Nichols
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | - Corinne A Pittman
- Sickle Cell Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - Courtney Fitzhugh
- Sickle Cell Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - Robert E Fleming
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
| | | | - John F Tisdale
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | - Mark Levine
- Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Qiang Y, Liu J, Du E. Dielectrophoresis Testing of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Behaviors of Human Red Blood Cells. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:21. [PMID: 29682335 PMCID: PMC5909413 DOI: 10.3390/mi9010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dielectrophoresis in microfluidics provides a useful tool to test biomechanics of living cells, regardless of surface charges on cell membranes. We have designed an experimental method to characterize the nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors of single cells using dielectrophoresis in a microfluidic channel. This method uses radio frequency, low voltage excitations through interdigitated microelectrodes, allowing probing multiple cells simultaneously with controllable load levels. Dielectrophoretic force was calibrated using a triaxial ellipsoid model. Using a Kelvin-Voigt model, the nonlinear shear moduli of cell membranes were determined from the steady-state deformations of red blood cells in response to a series of electric field strengths. The nonlinear elastic moduli of cell membranes ranged from 6.05 μN/m to up to 20.85 μN/m, which were identified as a function of extension ratio, rather than the lumped-parameter models as reported in the literature. Value of the characteristic time of the extensional recovery of cell membranes initially deformed to varied extent was found to be about 0.14 s. Shear viscosity of cell membrane was estimated to be 0.8-2.9 (μN/m)·s. This method is particularly valuable for rapid, non-invasive probing of mechanical properties of living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - E Du
- Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA; (Y.Q.); (J.L.)
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14
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Wang W, Tao K, Wang J, Yang G, Ouyang Q, Wang Y, Zhang L, Liu F. Exploring the inhibitory effect of membrane tension on cell polarization. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005354. [PMID: 28135277 PMCID: PMC5305267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell polarization toward an attractant is influenced by both physical and chemical factors. Most existing mathematical models are based on reaction-diffusion systems and only focus on the chemical process occurring during cell polarization. However, membrane tension has been shown to act as a long-range inhibitor of cell polarization. Here, we present a cell polarization model incorporating the interplay between Rac GTPase, filamentous actin (F-actin), and cell membrane tension. We further test the predictions of this model by performing single cell measurements of the spontaneous polarization of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and non-stem cancer cells (NSCCs), as the former have lower cell membrane tension. Based on both our model and the experimental results, cell polarization is more sensitive to stimuli under low membrane tension, and high membrane tension improves the robustness and stability of cell polarization such that polarization persists under random perturbations. Furthermore, our simulations are the first to recapitulate the experimental results described by Houk et al., revealing that aspiration (elevation of tension) and release (reduction of tension) result in a decrease in and recovery of the activity of Rac-GTP, respectively, and that the relaxation of tension induces new polarity of the cell body when a cell with the pseudopod-neck-body morphology is severed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kuan Tao
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Ouyang
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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15
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Hou J, Luo T, Ng KL, Leung AYH, Liang R, Sun D. Characterization of Drug Effect on Leukemia Cells Through Single Cell Assay With Optical Tweezers and Dielectrophoresis. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2016; 15:820-827. [DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2016.2616160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Electro-Deformation of Fused Cells in a Microfluidic Array Device. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:mi7110204. [PMID: 30404377 PMCID: PMC6189768 DOI: 10.3390/mi7110204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We present a new method of analyzing the deformability of fused cells in a microfluidic array device. Electrical stresses—generated by applying voltages (4–20 V) across discrete co-planar microelectrodes along the side walls of a microfluidic channel—have been used to electro-deform fused and unfused stem cells. Under an electro-deformation force induced by applying an alternating current (AC) signal, we observed significant electro-deformation phenomena. The experimental results show that the fused stem cells were stiffer than the unfused stem cells at a relatively low voltage (<16 V). However, at a relatively high voltage, the fused stem cells were more easily deformed than were the unfused stem cells. In addition, the electro-deformation process is modeled based on the Maxwell stress tensor and structural mechanics of cells. The theoretical results show that a positive correlation is found between the deformation of the cell and the applied voltage, which is consistent with the experimental results. Combined with a numerical analysis and experimental study, the results showed that the significant difference of the deformation ratio of the fused and unfused cells is not due to their size difference. This demonstrates that some other properties of cell membranes (such as the membrane structure) were also changed in the electrofusion process, in addition to the size modification of that process.
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17
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Liang W, Wang Y, Zhang H, Liu L. Characterization of the self-rotational motion of stored red blood cells by using optically-induced electrokinetics. OPTICS LETTERS 2016; 41:2763-6. [PMID: 27304283 DOI: 10.1364/ol.41.002763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We report a label-free approach toward the object of characterizing the self-rotational motions of red blood cells (RBCs) during storage under the optically-induced electrokinetics-based microfluidics mechanism. A theoretical analysis of the transmembrane potential across RBCs was performed getting a threshold voltage for keeping cellular biological integrity. Then, by investigation of the self-rotational behaviors of the individual RBCs in larger population, the RBCs that were stored more than three weeks statistically showed the distinctive self-rotational speed. Results verified that the self-rotational biomarkers of the RBCs could be used to label-free reckon the qualities of the stored RBCs in this kind of microfluidics chip. This finding may be further developed as a new criterion to real-time and label-free monitoring of the banked blood qualities, thereby diminishing the blood transfusion venture.
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18
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Kar S, Ghosh U, Maiti TK, Chakraborty S. Haemoglobin content modulated deformation dynamics of red blood cells on a compact disc. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:4571-7. [PMID: 26502076 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc00968e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the deformation characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) on a rotating compact disc platform. Our study brings out the interplay between haemoglobin content and RBC deformability in a centrifugally actuated microfluidic environment. We reveal that RBC deformations follow the similar trend of principal stress distributed throughout the radial direction, rendering an insight into the mechano-physical processes involved. This study can be used as a diagnostic marker to determine haematological disorders in diseased blood samples tested on compact disc based microfluidic platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantimoy Kar
- Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, India.
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19
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Kang YJ, Ha YR, Lee SJ. Deformability measurement of red blood cells using a microfluidic channel array and an air cavity in a driving syringe with high throughput and precise detection of subpopulations. Analyst 2015; 141:319-30. [PMID: 26616556 DOI: 10.1039/c5an01988e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Red blood cell (RBC) deformability has been considered a potential biomarker for monitoring pathological disorders. High throughput and detection of subpopulations in RBCs are essential in the measurement of RBC deformability. In this paper, we propose a new method to measure RBC deformability by evaluating temporal variations in the average velocity of blood flow and image intensity of successively clogged RBCs in the microfluidic channel array for specific time durations. In addition, to effectively detect differences in subpopulations of RBCs, an air compliance effect is employed by adding an air cavity into a disposable syringe. The syringe was equally filled with a blood sample (V(blood) = 0.3 mL, hematocrit = 50%) and air (V(air) = 0.3 mL). Owing to the air compliance effect, blood flow in the microfluidic device behaved transiently depending on the fluidic resistance in the microfluidic device. Based on the transient behaviors of blood flows, the deformability of RBCs is quantified by evaluating three representative parameters, namely, minimum value of the average velocity of blood flow, clogging index, and delivered blood volume. The proposed method was applied to measure the deformability of blood samples consisting of homogeneous RBCs fixed with four different concentrations of glutaraldehyde solution (0%-0.23%). The proposed method was also employed to evaluate the deformability of blood samples partially mixed with normal RBCs and hardened RBCs. Thereafter, the deformability of RBCs infected by human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum was measured. As a result, the three parameters significantly varied, depending on the degree of deformability. In addition, the deformability measurement of blood samples was successfully completed in a short time (∼10 min). Therefore, the proposed method has significant potential in deformability measurement of blood samples containing hematological diseases with high throughput and precise detection of subpopulations in RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jun Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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20
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Du E, Dao M, Suresh S. Quantitative Biomechanics of Healthy and Diseased Human Red Blood Cells using Dielectrophoresis in a Microfluidic System. EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS 2014; 1:35-41. [PMID: 26029737 PMCID: PMC4445737 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We present an experimental method to quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of a large number of biological cells by introducing controlled deformation through dielectrophoresis in a microfluidic device. We demonstrate the capability of this technique by determining the force versus deformation characteristics of healthy human red blood cells (RBCs) and RBCs infected in vitro with Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. These experiments clearly distinguish uninfected and healthy RBCs from infected ones, and the mechanical signatures extracted from these tests are in agreement with data from other independent methods. The method developed here thus provides a potentially helpful tool to characterize quickly and effectively the isolated biomechanical response of cells in a large population, for probing the pathological states of cells, disease diagnostics, and drug efficacy assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Du
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ming Dao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Correspondence: (M. Dao)
| | - Subra Suresh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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21
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Ahmad IL, Ahmad MR. Trends in characterizing single cell's stiffness properties. MICRO AND NANO SYSTEMS LETTERS 2014. [DOI: 10.1186/s40486-014-0008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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22
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Tomaiuolo G. Biomechanical properties of red blood cells in health and disease towards microfluidics. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:051501. [PMID: 25332724 PMCID: PMC4189537 DOI: 10.1063/1.4895755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) possess a unique capacity for undergoing cellular deformation to navigate across various human microcirculation vessels, enabling them to pass through capillaries that are smaller than their diameter and to carry out their role as gas carriers between blood and tissues. Since there is growing evidence that red blood cell deformability is impaired in some pathological conditions, measurement of RBC deformability has been the focus of numerous studies over the past decades. Nevertheless, reports on healthy and pathological RBCs are currently limited and, in many cases, are not expressed in terms of well-defined cell membrane parameters such as elasticity and viscosity. Hence, it is often difficult to integrate these results into the basic understanding of RBC behaviour, as well as into clinical applications. The aim of this review is to summarize currently available reports on RBC deformability and to highlight its association with various human diseases such as hereditary disorders (e.g., spherocytosis, elliptocytosis, ovalocytosis, and stomatocytosis), metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity), adenosine triphosphate-induced membrane changes, oxidative stress, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Microfluidic techniques have been identified as the key to develop state-of-the-art dynamic experimental models for elucidating the significance of RBC membrane alterations in pathological conditions and the role that such alterations play in the microvasculature flow dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Tomaiuolo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università di Napoli Federico II , Piazzale Tecchio 80, Napoli 80125, Italy and CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate , Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, Napoli 80145, Italy
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23
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Ye T, Li H, Lam KY. Two-dimensional numerical modeling for separation of deformable cells using dielectrophoresis. Electrophoresis 2014; 36:378-85. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ye
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore Singapore
| | - Hua Li
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore Singapore
| | - K. Y. Lam
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore Singapore
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Zheng Y, Nguyen J, Wei Y, Sun Y. Recent advances in microfluidic techniques for single-cell biophysical characterization. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:2464-83. [PMID: 23681312 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50355k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical (mechanical and electrical) properties of living cells have been proven to play important roles in the regulation of various biological activities at the molecular and cellular level, and can serve as promising label-free markers of cells' physiological states. In the past two decades, a number of research tools have been developed for understanding the association between the biophysical property changes of biological cells and human diseases; however, technical challenges of realizing high-throughput, robust and easy-to-perform measurements on single-cell biophysical properties have yet to be solved. In this paper, we review emerging tools enabled by microfluidic technologies for single-cell biophysical characterization. Different techniques are compared. The technical details, advantages, and limitations of various microfluidic devices are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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25
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Semi-circular microgrooves to observe active movements of individual Navicula pavillardii cells. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 92:349-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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26
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Doh I, Lee WC, Cho YH, Pisano AP, Kuypers FA. Deformation measurement of individual cells in large populations using a single-cell microchamber array chip. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2012; 100:173702-1737023. [PMID: 22586355 PMCID: PMC3350534 DOI: 10.1063/1.4704923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We analyze the deformability of individual red blood cells (RBCs) using SiCMA technology. Our approach is adequate to quickly measure large numbers of individual cells in heterogeneous populations. Individual cells are trapped in a large-scale array of micro-wells, and dielectrophoretic (DEP) force is applied to deform the cells. The simple structures of micro-wells and DEP electrodes facilitate the analysis of thousands of RBCs in parallel. This unique method allows the correlation of red cell deformation with cell surface and cytosolic characteristics to define the distribution of individual cellular characteristics in heterogeneous populations.
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