Header logo is

Hypoxia‐enhanced adhesion of red blood cells in microscale flow

2017

Article

pi


Abstract Objectives The advancement of microfluidic technology has facilitated the simulation of physiological conditions of the microcirculation, such as oxygen tension, fluid flow, and shear stress in these devices. Here, we present a micro‐gas exchanger integrated with microfluidics to study RBC adhesion under hypoxic flow conditions mimicking postcapillary venules. Methods We simulated a range of physiological conditions and explored RBC adhesion to endothelial or subendothelial components (FN or LN). Blood samples were injected into microchannels at normoxic or hypoxic physiological flow conditions. Quantitative evaluation of RBC adhesion was performed on 35 subjects with homozygous SCD. Results Significant heterogeneity in RBC adherence response to hypoxia was seen among SCD patients. RBCs from a HEA population showed a significantly greater increase in adhesion compared to RBCs from a HNA population, for both FN and LN. Conclusions The approach presented here enabled the control of oxygen tension in blood during microscale flow and the quantification of RBC adhesion in a cost‐efficient and patient‐specific manner. We identified a unique patient population in which RBCs showed enhanced adhesion in hypoxia in vitro. Clinical correlates suggest a more severe clinical phenotype in this subgroup.

Author(s): Kim, Myeongseop and Alapan, Yunus and Adhikari, Anima and Little, Jane A. and Gurkan, Umut A.
Journal: Microcirculation
Volume: 24
Number (issue): 5
Pages: e12374
Year: 2017

Department(s): Physical Intelligence
Bibtex Type: Article (article)
Paper Type: Journal

DOI: 10.1111/micc.12374

BibTex

@article{doi:10.1111/micc.12374,
  title = {Hypoxia‐enhanced adhesion of red blood cells in microscale flow},
  author = {Kim, Myeongseop and Alapan, Yunus and Adhikari, Anima and Little, Jane A. and Gurkan, Umut A.},
  journal = {Microcirculation},
  volume = {24},
  number = {5},
  pages = {e12374},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1111/micc.12374}
}