Passive mechanical properties of human leukocytes

Micropipette experiments are used to determine the rheological properties of human leukocytes. Individual cells in EDTA are subjected to a known aspiration pressure via a micropipette, and their surface deformation from the undeformed spherical shape is recorded on a television monitor. The cells are mathematically modeled as homogeneous spheres, and a standard solid viscoelastic model is found to describe accurately the deformation of the cell for small strains. These experimental and theoretical studies provide the basis for further investigations of leukocyte rheology in health and disease.