Red blood cell shape transitions and dynamics in time-dependent capillary flows

[en] The dynamics of single red blood cells (RBCs) determine microvascular blood flow by adapting their shape to the flow conditions in the narrow vessels. In this study, we explore the dynamics and shape transitions of RBCs on the cellular scale under confined and unsteady flow conditions using a combination of microfluidic experiments and numerical simulations. Tracking RBCs in a comoving frame in time-dependent flows reveals that the mean transition time from the symmetric croissant to the off-centered, nonsymmetric slipper shape is significantly faster than the opposite shape transition, which exhibits pronounced cell rotations. Complementary simulations indicate that these dynamics depend on the orientation of the RBC membrane in the channel during the time-dependent flow. Moreover, we show how the tank-treading movement of slipper-shaped RBCs in combination with the narrow channel leads to oscillations of the cell's center of mass. The frequency of these oscillations depends on the cell velocity, the viscosity of the surrounding fluid, and the cytosol viscosity. These results provide a potential framework to identify and study pathological changes in RBC properties.

Disciplines :

Physics

Author, co-author :

Recktenwald, Steffen M.; Recktenwald, SM (Corresponding Author), Saarland Univ, Dept Expt Phys, Dynam Fluids, Saarbrucken, Germany. Recktenwald, Steffen M.

Graessel, Katharina; Maurer, Felix M.

Maurer, Felix M.; John, Thomas

John, Thomas; Wagner, Christian, Saarland Univ, Dept Expt Phys, Dynam Fluids, Saarbrucken, Germany. Graessel, Katharina

Gekle, Stephan; Gekle, Stephan, Univ Bayreuth, Dept Phys, Biofluid Simulat Modeling, Bayreuth, Germany. Wagner, Christian, Univ Luxembourg, Phys Mat Sci Res Unit, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

WAGNER, Christian ; University of Luxembourg

External co-authors :

yes

Title :

Red blood cell shape transitions and dynamics in time-dependent capillary flows

Publication date :

2022

Journal title :

BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL

ISSN :

0006-3495

Publisher :

CELL PRESS, 50 HAMPSHIRE ST, FLOOR 5, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139 USA, Unknown/unspecified

Volume :

121

Issue :

Pages :

23-36

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Commentary :

Article

Available on ORBilu :

since 03 July 2023

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