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A droplet‐merging platform for comparative functional analysis of m1 and m2 macrophages in response to e. coli ‐induced stimuli
Author(s) -
Hondroulis Evangelia,
Movila Alexandru,
Sabhachandani Pooja,
Sarkar Saheli,
Cohen Noa,
Kawai Toshihisa,
Konry Tania
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.26196
Subject(s) - functional response , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , ecology , predation , predator
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.