Integrated automated particle tracking microfluidic enables high-throughput cell deformability cytometry for red cell...

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Biophysics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Hematologic diseases often manifest as altered red blood cell (RBC) biophysical properties, particularly deformability.
• Current assays lack high-throughput, single-cell resolution for RBC deformability analysis.
• Accurate assessment of RBC deformability is crucial for understanding and managing hematologic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a high-throughput, single-cell method for measuring RBC deformability.
• To apply this method to analyze RBCs from various patient populations and stored samples.
• To enable 2D analysis of RBC deformability versus cell size.

Main Methods:

• An in vitro artificial microvasculature network system was coupled with a MATLAB-based automated particle tracking program.
• The system quantifies the single-cell deformability index (sDI) for entire RBC populations.
• Cell size measurements were integrated for 2D deformability vs. size analysis.

Main Results:

• Distinct RBC subpopulations with significant interpatient variability were identified in sickle cell disease (SCD).
• RBC deformability and size relationships shifted over transfusion cycles in beta thalassemia.
• Reduced RBC deformability (low sDI) was observed in stored packed RBCs (pRBCs) within 4 days.

Conclusions:

• The developed system provides an inexpensive, convenient, and high-throughput method for assessing single RBC deformability and size.
• This technology has potential applications in disease monitoring and transfusion guidelines for various RBC disorders.
• The findings highlight the utility of single-cell analysis in characterizing RBC heterogeneity and pathology.