Journal article
The Physical Foundation of Vasoocclusion in Sickle Cell Disease
Biophysical journal, v 103(8), pp L38-L40
17 Oct 2012
PMID: 23083726
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The pathology of sickle cell disease arises from the occlusion of small blood vessels because of polymerization of the sickle hemoglobin within the red cells. We present measurements using a microfluidic method we have developed to determine the pressure required to eject individual red cells from a capillary-sized channel after the cell has sickled. We find that the maximum pressure is only ∼100 Pa, much smaller than typically found in the microcirculation. This explains why experiments using animal models have not observed occlusion beginning in capillaries. The magnitude of the pressure and its dependence on intracellular concentration are both well described as consequences of sickle hemoglobin polymerization acting as a Brownian ratchet. Given the recently determined stiffness of sickle hemoglobin gels, the observed obstruction seen in sickle cell disease as mediated by adherent cells can now be rationalized, and surprisingly suggests a window of maximum vulnerability during circulation of sickle cells.
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Details
- Title
- The Physical Foundation of Vasoocclusion in Sickle Cell Disease
- Creators
- Alexey Aprelev - Department of Physics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaWilliam Stephenson - Department of Physics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaHongseok (Moses) Noh - Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMaureen Meier - St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaFrank A Ferrone - Department of Physics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Biophysical journal, v 103(8), pp L38-L40
- Publisher
- The Biophysical Society
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Physics; Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000310100400002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84867650809
- Other Identifier
- 991014878297404721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Biophysics