{"id":1494,"date":"2013-07-25T18:29:24","date_gmt":"2013-07-25T18:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtlsites.mit.edu\/annual_reports\/2013\/?p=1494"},"modified":"2013-07-25T18:29:24","modified_gmt":"2013-07-25T18:29:24","slug":"erythrocyte-deformability-correlates-to-intracellular-calcium-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mtlsites.mit.edu\/annual_reports\/2013\/erythrocyte-deformability-correlates-to-intracellular-calcium-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Erythrocyte Deformability Correlates to Intracellular Calcium Level"},"content":{"rendered":"
Elevated intracellular calcium level ([Ca++]i<\/sub>) and reduced deformability \u00a0in red blood cells (RBCs) are commonly associated with blood-related diseases[1<\/a>]<\/sup>[2<\/a>]<\/sup>[3<\/a>]<\/sup> as well as in-vivo<\/i> ageing[4<\/a>]<\/sup>. The correlation between RBC deformability and [Ca++]i<\/sub> has been established at the bulk level, typically accompanied with changes in ATP level and RBC size[4<\/a>]<\/sup>. It is, however, unclear whether changes in RBC deformability would correspond to [Ca++]i <\/sub>at the single-RBC level.<\/p>\n In this project, we attempt to establish the connection between single RBC deformability and [Ca++]i<\/sub> using a microfluidic device as described[5<\/a>]<\/sup>. Calcium ionophore A23187 was used for calcium loading, creating different levels of [Ca++]i<\/sub>. RBC deformability is assessed by measuring the microcirculatory velocity of RBCs in a microfluidic device with narrow gaps[5<\/a>]<\/sup>. Simultaneous measurement of calcium intensity and transit velocity was performed while an individual RBC traversed the microchannels.<\/p>\n