Simple and convenient measurement of RBC deformability using QCM integrated with a novel model of cell viscoelasticity

It is well-established that alterations in cell morphology are regulated by cell signalling pathways, with the qualitative and quantitative monitoring of these intrinsic processes being of potential diagnostic value. Moreover, the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) plays a key role in microcirculation, with alterations in rigidity correlated with disease models such as diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anaemia and sepsis. Here a novel assay for monitoring changes in deformability of RBCs is described that integrates quartz-crystal microbalance and a mathematical model, and extrapolates qualitative and quantitative information pertinent to changes in cell elasticity. The ability of this assay to differentiate reliably between normal RBCs and ones artificially rigidized in a manner consistent with the disease-state RBCs is demonstrated. This simple, benchtop assay has significant potential for application in disease cohorts where aberrant deformability of RBCs is indicative of disease progression.