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Capture and Release of Viable Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood
Published on: October 28, 2016
Tumor cell capture patterns around aptamer-immobilized microposts in microfluidic devices
Kangfu Chen1, Teodor Z Georgiev1, Weian Sheng1
1Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group (IMG), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116250, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
Biomicrofluidics
|October 17, 2017
Summary
Understanding circulating tumor cell (CTC) interactions with microposts is key for cancer detection. Higher flow rates reduce CTC capture efficiency but alter cell distribution patterns around microposts.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Cancer Cell Biology
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
- Affinity-based isolation using microposts enhances CTC capture efficiency in microchannels.
- Limited understanding of cell-micropost interactions under varying flow conditions hinders device optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction and distribution patterns of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) around microposts under different flow conditions.
- To evaluate the impact of flow rates and micropost geometry on CTC capture efficiency and patterns.
- To develop a theoretical model for simulating cell-micropost interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) as target CTCs.
- Employed Sgc8 aptamer as a specific capture agent immobilized on microposts.
- Varied flow rates and compared circular versus elliptical micropost shapes.
- Developed and validated a theoretical model against experimental observations.
Main Results:
- Increased flow rates decreased overall CTC capture efficiency.
- Higher flow rates shifted the capture pattern, concentrating cells on the front half of microposts.
- The ratio of cells captured on microposts versus channel walls increased with flow rate.
- Micropost geometry (circular vs. elliptical) influenced cell capture distribution.
Conclusions:
- Flow rate significantly impacts CTC capture efficiency and spatial distribution around microposts.
- Micropost geometry plays a role in optimizing cell capture patterns.
- The developed theoretical model accurately simulates CTC-micropost interactions, aiding in device design for improved CTC detection.
