Quantifying blood platelet morphological changes by dissipation factor monitoring in multilayer shells

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a versatile technique for creating thin films.
• Monitoring cellular changes requires sensitive detection methods.
• Platelet morphology is crucial for their function and adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the adaptability of LbL assembly to template morphological features.
• To quantify subtle cytoskeletal changes in blood platelets.
• To investigate the synergy between LbL shells and adhered cells.

Main Methods:

• Electrostatically driven LbL assembly of multilayered shells on protein-modified chips.
• Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) for microgravimetric measurements and energy dissipation monitoring.
• Adhesion of blood platelets to protein-modified surfaces.

Main Results:

• LbL coating improved signal sensitivity for detecting cellular changes.
• Energy dissipation monitoring revealed subtle cytoskeletal changes in platelets.
• Quantitative data on platelet conformational changes were obtained upon adhesion.

Conclusions:

• LbL assembly can adapt to template features, enabling sensitive detection of cellular morphology.
• The developed method allows for the quantification of cytoskeletal changes induced by specific cell-surface interactions.
• This approach offers a novel way to study cell adhesion and morphology in real-time.