Immunocapturing rare cells from blood: A simple and robust microsystem approach

Cell immunocapture microsystems are a fast-emerging field with several potential medical diagnostic applica-tions. Isolation and quantification of circulating rare cells (CRCs) show great importance in the early stages of disease diagnostics and prognostics. Here, we present a simple and robust stop-flow microsystem (fabricated by a combination of glass microblasting and 3D printing) based on a planar antibody-coated surface that is effective in the immunocapture of the model as well as naturally occurring rare cells. A chip with a planar immunocapture channel working in the so-called stop-flow dynamic regime was designed to enable monitoring the efficiency of the cell capture by fluorescence microscopy. Up to 90% immunocapture efficiency of MCF-7 cells spiked into whole blood on CD326 antibody-coated planar surfaces was achieved. We discuss the role of the planar surface modifications, the influence of the set stop-flow dynamic conditions, and medium complexity on the efficiency of cell immunocapture. The presented results could be further employed in the design of microsystems for cell-size -independent isolation and identification of rare cells from blood.

Automated summary

Cell immunocapture microsystems are an emerging field with potential medical diagnostic applications for isolating and quantifying circulating rare cells (CRCs). A simple and robust stop-flow microsystem based on planar antibody-coated surfaces was designed and achieved up to 90% immunocapture efficiency of MCF-7 cells in whole blood. The results can contribute to the design of microsystems for the isolation and identification of rare cells from blood.