Issue 11, 2024

On the compatibility of single-cell microcarriers (nanovials) with microfluidic impedance cytometry

Abstract

We investigate for the first time the compatibility of nanovials with microfluidic impedance cytometry (MIC). Nanovials are suspendable crescent-shaped single-cell microcarriers that enable specific cell adhesion, the creation of compartments for undisturbed cell growth and secretion, as well as protection against wall shear stress. MIC is a label-free single-cell technique that characterizes flowing cells based on their electrical fingerprints and it is especially targeted to cells that are naturally in suspension. Combining nanovial technology with MIC is intriguing as it would represent a robust framework for the electrical analysis of single adherent cells at high throughput. Here, as a proof-of-concept, we report the MIC analysis of mesenchymal stromal cells loaded in nanovials. The electrical analysis is supported by numerical simulations and validated by means of optical analysis. We demonstrate that the electrical diameter can discriminate among free cells, empty nanovials, cell-loaded nanovials, and clusters, thus grounding the foundation for the use of nanovials in MIC. Furthermore, we investigate the potentiality of MIC to assess the electrical phenotype of cells loaded in nanovials and we draw directions for future studies.

Graphical abstract: On the compatibility of single-cell microcarriers (nanovials) with microfluidic impedance cytometry

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 yan 2024
Accepted
26 apr 2024
First published
29 apr 2024

Lab Chip, 2024,24, 2883-2892

On the compatibility of single-cell microcarriers (nanovials) with microfluidic impedance cytometry

C. Brandi, A. De Ninno, F. Ruggiero, E. Limiti, F. Abbruzzese, M. Trombetta, A. Rainer, P. Bisegna and F. Caselli, Lab Chip, 2024, 24, 2883 DOI: 10.1039/D4LC00002A

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