Emerging functional microfluidic assays for the study of thromboinflammation in sickle cell disease

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThis review briefly summarizes the significant impact of thromboinflammation in sickle cell disease in relation to recent advances in biomarkers that are used in functional microfluidic assays. Recent findingsSickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that affects 100 000 Americans and millions worldwide. Patients with SCD exhibit chronic haemolysis, chronic inflammation and thrombosis, and vasoocclusion, triggering various clinical complications, including organ damage and increased mortality and morbidity. Recent advances in functional microfluidic assays provide direct biomarkers of disease, including abnormal white blood cell and red blood cell adhesion, cell aggregation, endothelial degradation and contraction, and thrombus formation. SummaryNovel and emerging functional microfluidic assays are a promising and feasible strategy to comprehensively characterize thromboinflammatory reactions in SCD, which can be used for personalized risk assessment and tailored therapeutic decisions.

Next generation microfluidics: fulfilling the promise of lab-on-a-chip technologies

“…MF and lab-on-a-chip technologies have made an especially noteworthy impact in hematology and vascular biology due to MF technologies' inherent ability to mimic physiologic flow conditions in blood vessels and capillaries. 20,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] For example, MF technology allowed researchers to integrate sensors and measure the physical forces of blood and biochemical behaviors in hemostasis and platelet research. 39 However, MF technology has had a more modest impact in other fields, such as cancer.…”