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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Taking Advantage of Reduced Droplet-surface Interaction to Optimize Transport of Bioanalytes in Digital Microfluidics

Published on: November 10, 2014

Diffusive transfer between two intensely interacting cells with limited surface kinetics.

M Labowsky¹, T M Fahmy

¹Ansama Research, 5 Highview Ct., Wayne, NJ 07470: 973-831-8766: mlabowsky@aol.com.

Chemical Engineering Science

|April 10, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular paracrine delivery of chemical factors is vital for cell communication. This study models factor accumulation between cells, revealing its role in activating naive cells and influencing bystander signaling.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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Published on: November 10, 2014

From Fast Fluorescence Imaging to Molecular Diffusion Law on Live Cell Membranes in a Commercial Microscope

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Molecular Diffusion in Plasma Membranes of Primary Lymphocytes Measured by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

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Published on: February 1, 2017

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Immunology
Biophysics

Background:

Cell-to-cell communication relies on diffusive transfer, or paracrine delivery, of chemical factors.
This process is crucial in the cellular immune response, regulating target cell killing, inflammation, and tolerance.
Understanding paracrine delivery dynamics is key to deciphering cellular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To mathematically model the diffusive transfer of chemical factors between interacting cells.
To investigate the accumulation and signaling of factors in the intercellular synapse.
To explore the role of factor accumulation in the activation of naive cells.

Main Methods:

Solved the steady-state diffusion equation for the concentration field around two interacting cells.
Incorporated surface kinetics to limit factor emission and absorption rates.
Presented results in a generic form applicable to various chemical factors and cell types.

Main Results:

Quantified overall transfer rates and efficiencies of chemical factors between cells.
Observed significant factor accumulation in the synaptic region when the receiving cell is naive (low receptor density).
Demonstrated diminished factor accumulation and bystander signaling as the receiving cell becomes more activated and absorbent.

Conclusions:

Factor accumulation in the cell synapse is critical for activating naive receiving cells.
The dynamics of paracrine signaling change as cells interact and activate.
This model provides a framework for understanding intercellular communication in diverse biological contexts.