Use of the microfluidic impedance red cell assay in sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

In sickle cell disease (SCD), red blood cells (RBCs) are poorly deformable, even under normoxia (NOI). With deoxygenation, deformability of sickle RBCs is further reduced due to polymerization of hemoglobin S (HbS). Rigid, poorly deformable sickle RBCs block microvasculature, causing ischemia, pain, and organ damage. The microfluidic impedance red cell assay (MIRCA) can mechanically measure RBC deformability, providing occlusion index under NOI or hypoxia (HOI) as readouts. We analyzed RBCs from 68 adult and 34 pediatric patients with SCD using the MIRCA. Higher HOI and NOI values were positively associated with markers of inflammation, hemolysis, RBC density, older age, and severe SCD genotypes (homozygous HbSS or HbS β0-thalassemia. Each 1% higher NOI across individuals

SUBMITTER: Patwardhan AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12345286 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature