--- title: "Increased erythrocyte adhesion to VCAM-1 during pulsatile flow: Application of a microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay." description: "Increased erythrocyte adhesion to VCAM-1 during pulsatile flow: Application of a microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay." image: https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202018-11-18%2023.37.17.png --- [![functionalfluidics\_logo](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/functionalfluidics_logo.jpg?width=132&name=functionalfluidics_logo.jpg)](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/) - [About Us](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/about-us) - [Services](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/services) - [Assays](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2) - [Flow Adhesion](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/flow-adhesion) - [Mechanical Fragility](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/mechanical-fragility) - [Dynamic Sickling Assay](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-dynamicsicklingassay) - [Oxygenscan](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/lorrca-oxygenscan) - [Osmoscan](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2/flow-adhesion-reverse-0) - [Contract Research](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/contractresearch) - [Nigeria Research Center](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/functional_fluidics_nigeria) - [RBC Test Menu](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Test%20Menu%20(2).pdf) - Scientific Resources - [Peer Reviewed Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/peerreviewed) - [Abstracts](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/abstracts) - [ELIPSIS](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/elipsis) - [News](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/news-and-presentations) [\< Go Back To Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/) ## Increased erythrocyte adhesion to VCAM-1 during pulsatile flow: Application of a microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay. Increased erythrocyte adhesion to VCAM-1 during pulsatile flow: Application of a microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay. - - - [Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/topic/publications), [Adhesion](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/topic/adhesion), [Flow Adhesion](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/topic/flow-adhesion), [Sickle Cell Disease](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/topic/sickle-cell-disease) August 26, 2015 0% read Subscribe to our Newsletter **[Clin Hemorheol Microcirc](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24898561)** **White J**, Lancelot M, Sarnaik S, **Hines P**. ### Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by microvascular occlusion mediated by adhesive interactions of sickle erythrocytes (SSRBCs) to the endothelium. Most in vitro flow adhesion assays measure SSRBC adhesion during continuous flow, although in vivo SSRBC adhesive interactions occur during pulsatile flow. Using a well-plate microfluidic flow adhesion system, we demonstrate that isolated SSRBCs adhere to vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) at greater levels during pulsatile versus continuous flow. A significant increase in adhesive interactions was observed between all pulse frequencies 1 Hz to 2 Hz (60-120 beats/min) when compared to non-pulsatile flow. Adhesion of isolated SSRBCs and whole blood during pulsatile flow was unaffected by protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition, and exposure of SSRBCs to pulsatile flow did not affect the intrinsic adhesive properties of SSRBCs. The cell type responsible for increased adhesion of whole blood varied from patient to patient. We conclude that low flow periods of the pulse cycle allow more adhesive interactions between sickle erythrocytes and VCAM-1, and sickle erythrocyte adhesion in the context of whole blood may better reflect physiologic cellular interactions. The microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay used in this study may have applications for clinical assessment of sickle erythrocyte adhesion during pulsatile flow. #### KEYWORDS: Pulsatile flow; VCAM-1; VLA-4; adhesion; erythrocyte; microfluidics; sickle cell disease; variable shear PMID: [24898561](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24898561) PMCID: [PMC4923762](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923762/) DOI: [10.3233/CH-141847](http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/CH-141847)   Subscribe to our Newsletter Subscribe to our Newsletter ### ### Recommended Reads ![](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-01%20105529.png) Dec 1, 2025 #### [Functional Fluidics Welcomes Biopharma Leader Bert Bruce as Senior Advisor](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/functional-fluidics-welcomes-biopharma-leader-bert-bruce-as-senior-advisor) ![](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-30%20195918.png) Dec 1, 2025 #### [Functional Fluidics to Present New Sickle Cell Disease Data at the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/functional-fluidics-to-present-new-sickle-cell-disease-data-at-the-2025-ash-annual-meeting-in-orlando-florida) ### Contact Us   # **Our Location** 440 Burroughs Street, Suite 447, Detroit, MI 48202 United States Email: [info@functionalfluidics.com](mailto:info@functionalfluidics.com) Phone:313-315-2555 ### Subscribe to Our Newsletter - [Services](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/services) - [Assays](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2) - [RBC Test Menu](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Test%20Menu%20(2).pdf) - [Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/tag/publications) © Copyright Functional Fluidics 2016.