Dielectrophoresis-Mediated Electrodeformation as a Means of Determining Individual Platelet Stiffness

摘要: Platelets, essential for hemostasis, are easily activated via biochemical and mechanical stimuli. Cell stiffness is a vital parameter modulating the mechano-transduction of exogenous While methods exist to measure cell stiffness, no ready method exists measuring platelet that both minimally-contacting, imparting minimal force non-activating. We developed minimal-contact methodology capable trapping individual platelets utilizing dielectrophoresis (DEP)-mediated electrodeformation. Parametric studies demonstrate non-uniform electric field in MHz frequency range (0.2–20 MHz) required generating effective DEP forces on platelets, suspended isotonic buffer with conductivity ~100–200 μS/cm. A nano-Newton (0.125–4.5 nN) was demonstrated be electrodeformation, which could generated an strength 1.5–9 V/μm. Young’s moduli were calculated using Maxwell stress tensor model stress-deformation relationship. Platelet determined 3.5 ± 1.4 8.5 ± 1.5 kPa resting 0.4% paraformaldehyde-treated cells, respectively. The fills gap approaches free inadvertent activation, will facilitate further mechanisms involved mechanically-mediated activation.