Gradient Hydrogels Spatially Trapped Optical Cell Profiling for Quantitative Blood Cellular Osmotic Analysis

The quantitative exploration of cellular osmotic responses and a thorough analysis of osmotic pressure-responsive cellular behaviors are poised to offer novel clinical insights into current research. This underscores a paradigm shift in the long-standing approach of colorimetric measurements triggered by red cell lysis. In this study, we engineered a purpose-driven optofluidic platform to facilitate the goal. Specifically, creating photocurable hydrogel traps surmounts a persistent challenge─optical signal interference from fluid disturbances. This achievement ensures a stable spatial phase of cells and the acquisition of optical signals for accurate osmotic response analysis at the single-cell level. Leveraging a multigradient microfluidic system, we constructed gradient osmotic hydrogel traps and developed an imaging recognition algorithm, empowering comprehensive analysis of cellular behaviors. Notably, this system has successfully and precisely analyzed individual and clustered cellular responses within the osmotic dimension. Prospective clinical testing has further substantiated its feasibility and performance in that it demonstrates an accuracy of 92% in discriminating complete hemolysis values (n = 25) and 100% in identifying initial hemolysis values (n = 25). Foreseeably, this strategy should promise to advance osmotic pressure-related cellular response analysis, benefiting further investigation and diagnosis of related blood diseases, blood quality, drug development, etc.