Umut A Gurkan1,2,3. 1. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University. 2. Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University. 3. Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the significant biophysical and rheological aspects of red blood cell physiology and pathophysiology in relation to recent advances in microfluidic biomarker assays and emerging targeted or curative intent therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Alterations in red cell biophysical properties and blood rheology have been associated with numerous hematologic and circulatory disorders. Recent advances in biomarker assays enable effective assessment of these biophysical and rheological properties in normoxia or physiological hypoxia in a clinically meaningful way. There are emerging targeted or curative therapies that aim to improve red cell pathophysiology, especially in the context of inherited hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease. SUMMARY: Red cell pathophysiology can be therapeutically targeted and the improvements in membrane and cellular biophysics and blood rheology can now be feasibly assessed via new microfluidic biomarker assays. Recent advances provide a new hope and novel treatment options for major red cell ailments, including inherited hemoglobin disorders, membrane disorders, and other pathologies of the red cell, such as malaria.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the significant biophysical and rheological aspects of red blood cell physiology and pathophysiology in relation to recent advances in microfluidic biomarker assays and emerging targeted or curative intent therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Alterations in red cell biophysical properties and blood rheology have been associated with numerous hematologic and circulatory disorders. Recent advances in biomarker assays enable effective assessment of these biophysical and rheological properties in normoxia or physiological hypoxia in a clinically meaningful way. There are emerging targeted or curative therapies that aim to improve red cell pathophysiology, especially in the context of inherited hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease. SUMMARY: Red cell pathophysiology can be therapeutically targeted and the improvements in membrane and cellular biophysics and blood rheology can now be feasibly assessed via new microfluidic biomarker assays. Recent advances provide a new hope and novel treatment options for major red cell ailments, including inherited hemoglobin disorders, membrane disorders, and other pathologies of the red cell, such as malaria.
Authors: Panae Noomuna; Mary Risinger; Sitong Zhou; Katie Seu; Yuncheng Man; Ran An; Daniel A Sheik; Jiandi Wan; Jane A Little; Umut A Gurkan; Francesco M Turrini; Theodosia Kalfa; Philip S Low Journal: Br J Haematol Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 6.998
Authors: Claire M Drysdale; Tina Nassehi; Jackson Gamer; Morgan Yapundich; John F Tisdale; Naoya Uchida Journal: Cell Stem Cell Date: 2021-02-04 Impact factor: 24.633
Authors: Yuxuan Wu; Jing Zeng; Benjamin P Roscoe; Pengpeng Liu; Qiuming Yao; Cicera R Lazzarotto; Kendell Clement; Mitchel A Cole; Kevin Luk; Cristina Baricordi; Anne H Shen; Chunyan Ren; Erica B Esrick; John P Manis; David M Dorfman; David A Williams; Alessandra Biffi; Carlo Brugnara; Luca Biasco; Christian Brendel; Luca Pinello; Shengdar Q Tsai; Scot A Wolfe; Daniel E Bauer Journal: Nat Med Date: 2019-03-25 Impact factor: 53.440