Application of Controlled Shear Stresses on the Erythrocyte Membrane as a New Approach to Promote Molecule Encapsulation.

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7802778 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1525-1594 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 0160564X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Artif Organs Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Cambridge, MA : Wiley-Blackwell
Original Publication: Cleveland, International Society for Artificial Organs.

Drug Carriers/*chemistry ; Erythrocyte Membrane/*chemistry ; Erythrocytes/*cytology; Adult ; Dextrans/administration & dosage ; Dextrans/chemistry ; Diffusion ; Drug Liberation ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/administration & dosage ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/analogs & derivatives ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate/chemistry ; Humans ; Stress, Mechanical

Human red blood cells (RBCs) have a remarkable capacity to undergo reversible membrane swelling. Resealed erythrocytes have been proposed as carriers and bioreactors to be used in the treatment of various diseases. This work is aimed at developing a setup allowing the encapsulation of test molecules into erythrocytes by inducing reversible pore formation on the RBC membrane through the application of controlled mechanical shear stresses. The designed setup consists of two reservoirs connected by a glass capillary. Each reservoir is connected to a compressor; during the tests, the reservoirs were in turn pressurized to promote erythrocyte flow through the capillary. The setup was filled with a suspension of erythrocytes, phosphate buffer, and FITC-dextran. Dextran was chosen as the diffusive molecule to check membrane pore dimensions. Samples of the suspension were withdrawn at scheduled times while the setup was operating. Flow cytometry and stereo-optical microscopy analyses were used to evaluate the erythrocyte dextran uptake. The setup was shown to be safe, well controlled, and adjustable. The outcomes of the experimental tests showed significant dextran uptake by RBCs up to 8%. Microscopy observations highlighted the formation of echinocytes in the analyzed samples. Erythrocytes from different donors showed different reactions to mechanical stresses. The experimental outcomes proved the possibility to encapsulate test molecules into erythrocytes by applying controlled mechanical shear stresses on the RBC membrane, encouraging further studies.
(Copyright © 2016 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Keywords: Drug carriers; Erythrocytes; Mechanical stress; Molecule encapsulation; Red cell membrane; Shear stress

0 (Dextrans)
0 (Drug Carriers)
0 (fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran)
I223NX31W9 (Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate)

Date Created: 20160128 Date Completed: 20170117 Latest Revision: 20170117

20240829

10.1111/aor.12662

26813612