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Red Blood Cell Deformability in ME/CFS (Microfluidic-based Diagnostic Device)

This work has been accepted for publication in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation and also has been accepted as an abstract for the American Society of Hematology 60th Annual Meeting.
 
TECHNOLOGY VALUE
The goal of the project is to develop an impedance-based microfluidic device to measure RBC capillary velocity under hypoxia and demonstrate such device can be used for ME/CFS diagnosis.

  • Jiandi Wan, PhD
  • Ronald W. Davis, PhD

Coming soon…

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

Several studies have implicated a role of oxidative stress in ME/CFS. Red blood cells (RBCs) are potent scavengers of oxidative stress and their shape changes appreciably in response to oxidative stress; this has been observed in certain inflammatory conditions including obesity and diabetes.

The shape of RBCs determine how well these cells can move through blood vessels so it seems pertinent to determine if RBCs in ME/CFS patients are affected. This has led to the development of a microfluidic device that mimics blood flow through microcapillaries.

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Preliminary studies have shown that RBCs from ME/CFS patients had an altered rate of movement through microcapillaries and that RBCs from ME/CFS patients had reduced deformability.

The significant decrease in deformability of RBCs from ME/CFS patients may have origins in oxidative stress and suggests that altered microvascular perfusion can be a possible cause for ME/CFS symptoms.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME / CFS) Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), Fibromyalgia Leading Research. Delivering Hope.Open Medicine Foundation®

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