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- Title
Mechanical Characterization of the Erythrocyte Membrane Using a Capacitor-Based Technique.
- Authors
Dorta, Doriana; Plazaola, Carlos; Carrasco, Jafeth; Alves-Rosa, Maria F.; Coronado, Lorena M.; Correa, Ricardo; Zambrano, Maytee; Gutiérrez-Medina, Braulio; Sarmiento-Gómez, Erick; Spadafora, Carmenza; Gonzalez, Guadalupe
- Abstract
Pathological processes often change the mechanical properties of cells. Increased rigidity could be a marker of cellular malfunction. Erythrocytes are a type of cell that deforms to squeeze through tiny capillaries; changes in their rigidity can dramatically affect their functionality. Furthermore, differences in the homeostatic elasticity of the cell can be used as a tool for diagnosis and even for choosing the adequate treatment for some illnesses. More accurate types of equipment needed to study biomechanical phenomena at the single-cell level are very costly and thus out of reach for many laboratories around the world. This study presents a simple and low-cost technique to study the rigidity of red blood cells (RBCs) through the application of electric fields in a hand-made microfluidic chamber that uses a capacitor principle. As RBCs are deformed with the application of voltage, cells are observed under a light microscope. From mechanical force vs. deformation data, the elastic constant of the cells is determined. The results obtained with the capacitor-based method were compared with those obtained using optical tweezers, finding good agreement. In addition, P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes were tested with the electric field applicator. Our technique provides a simple means of testing the mechanical properties of individual cells.
- Subjects
CELLULAR mechanics; ERYTHROCYTES; OPTICAL tweezers; ELASTIC constants; ERYTHROCYTE membranes; MICROSCOPES; ERYTHROCYTE deformability; ELECTRIC fields
- Publication
Micromachines, 2024, Vol 15, Issue 5, p590
- ISSN
2072-666X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/mi15050590