Measuring Asymmetric Ionic Current Waveform Through Micropores for Detecting Reduced Red Blood Cell Deformability Due to <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> Infection
The mechanisms underlying reduced deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> remain unclear. The decrease in RBC deformability associated with malarial infection was measured using ektacytometry, and only mean values were evaluated. In this study, we report t...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4722 |
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| Summary: | The mechanisms underlying reduced deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> remain unclear. The decrease in RBC deformability associated with malarial infection was measured using ektacytometry, and only mean values were evaluated. In this study, we report the development of a microfluidic sensing device that can evaluate decreased RBC deformability at the single-cell level by measuring ionic current waveforms through micropores. Using an in vitro culture system, we found that when RBC deformability was reduced by <i>P. falciparum</i> infection, ionic current waveforms changed. As RBC deformability decreased, waveforms became asymmetric. Computer simulations suggested that these waveform parameters are largely independent of RBC size and may represent a reliable indicator of diminished deformability. This novel microfluidic RBC deformability sensor allows for detailed single-cell analysis of malaria-associated deformability reduction, potentially aiding in elucidating its pathology. |
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| ISSN: | 1424-8220 |