A droplet‐merging platform for comparative functional analysis of m1 and m2 macrophages in response to e. coli‐induced stimuli. Issue 3 (24th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hondroulis, Evangelia; Movila, Alexandru; Sabhachandani, Pooja; Sarkar, Saheli; Cohen, Noa; Kawai, Toshihisa; Konry, Tania
• Is Part Of: Biotechnology and bioengineering. Volume 114:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 709
• Publication Date: 2016-10-24
• Subjects: M1/M2 macrophages -- bacteria -- microfluidic droplets -- droplet merging -- single cell analysis; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.26196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3592

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Microfluidic droplets are used to isolate cell pairs and prevent crosstalk with neighboring cells, while permitting free motility and interaction within the confined space. Dynamic analysis of cellular heterogeneity in droplets has provided insights in various biological processes. Droplet manipulation methods such as fusion and fission make it possible to precisely regulate the localized environment of a cell in a droplet and deliver reagents as required. Droplet fusion strategies achieved by passive mechanisms preserve cell viability and are easier to fabricate and operate. Here, we present a simple and effective method for the co‐encapsulation of polarized M1 and M2 macrophages with Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) by passive merging in an integrated droplet generation, merging, and docking platform. This approach facilitated live cell profiling of effector immune functions in situ and quantitative functional analysis of macrophage heterogeneity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 705–709. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Abstract : The platform developed by Konry and coworkers present a simple and effective method for the co‐encapsulation of cells and assay reagents using a passive merging design in an integrated droplet docking microfluidic device. For proof‐of‐concept studies, they co‐encapsulated polarized M1 and M2 macrophages with Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) by passive merging. This approach facilitated live cell profiling of effector immune functions in situ and quantitative functional analysis of macrophage heterogeneity.