Characterizing stiffness of sickle cell trait red blood cells under strenuous exercise conditions

Z. Xu, Y. Zheng, C. Wang, Y. Sun

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

Abstract

The risk of vaso-occlusion events of sickle cell trait (SCT) athletes were speculatively ascribed to SCT red blood cell (RBC) stiffening during strenuous exercise. However, it is unknown what microenvironmental changes could induce the stiffening. To address this question, we measured the mechanical property changes of SCT RBCs under deoxygenated and acidic environments, two typical conditions present in the circulation of athletes when undertaking strenuous exercise. The results reveal that SCT RBCs are inherently stiffer than control RBCs, and lowering pH further stiffens the SCT cells. Furthermore, deoxygenation was found not to cause the stiffness of SCT RBCs to change.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2016
PublisherChemical and Biological Microsystems Society
Pages1611-1612
Number of pages2
ISBN (Electronic)9780979806490
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2016 - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: Oct 9 2016Oct 13 2016

Publication series

Name20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2016

Conference

Conference20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2016
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period10/9/1610/13/16

Keywords

  • Microfluidics
  • Red blood cells
  • Shear modulus
  • Sickle cell trait
  • Stiffening

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering

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