Microfluidic modeling of cell-cell interactions in malaria pathogenesis

PLoS Pathog. 2007 Jul;3(7):e99. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030099.

Abstract

The clinical outcomes of human infections by Plasmodium falciparum remain highly unpredictable. A complete understanding of the complex interactions between host cells and the parasite will require in vitro experimental models that simultaneously capture diverse host-parasite interactions relevant to pathogenesis. Here we show that advanced microfluidic devices concurrently model (a) adhesion of infected red blood cells to host cell ligands, (b) rheological responses to changing dimensions of capillaries with shapes and sizes similar to small blood vessels, and (c) phagocytosis of infected erythrocytes by macrophages. All of this is accomplished under physiologically relevant flow conditions for up to 20 h. Using select examples, we demonstrate how this enabling technology can be applied in novel, integrated ways to dissect interactions between host cell ligands and parasitized erythrocytes in synthetic capillaries. The devices are cheap and portable and require small sample volumes; thus, they have the potential to be widely used in research laboratories and at field sites with access to fresh patient samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Host-Parasite Interactions*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / parasitology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques
  • Models, Biological*
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / cytology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
  • Plasmodium falciparum / physiology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1