Platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) bind and modify the phenotype of many cell types including endothelial cells. Recently, we showed that PMP were internalized by human brain endothelial cells (HBEC). Here we intend to better characterize the internalization mechanisms of PMP and their intracellular fate. Confocal microscopy analysis of PKH67-labelled PMP distribution in HBEC showed PMP in e...

In the present work the computer modelling was used to show that longer ligands allow biological cells (e.g. blood platelets) to withstand stronger flows after their adhesion to solid walls. Mechanistic model of polymer-mediated ligand-receptor adhesion between a microparticle (cell) and a flat wall was developed. Theoretical threshold between adherent and non-adherent regimes was derived analy...

Methods have been developed to isolate human platelet membrane fragments from plasma and serum. Rabbit antibody produced against the human platelet membrane glycoprotein complex. lib/Illa. was utilized in an immunoelectrophoretic assay to evaluate the amount of this antigen in various microparticle preparations. The serum concentration of platelet microparticles was more than tenfold greater th...

An instrument to directly measure the charge carried by a cell or a microparticle as well as mass-to-charge ratio of the cell/microparticle was developed for rapid mass distribution measurement. A successful mass spectrum with a record high mass has been demonstrated. In this article, the details of the construction and operation of the charge monitoring cell mass spectrometer are reported. Exa...

An interdigitated electrode (IDE) array-based impedance sensor is developed for microparticle detection. The IDE is fabricated by photolithography, Ti/Au deposition, and dielectric deposition. With this microfabricated IDE array, we demonstrated a highly portable impedance sensing system with frequency analyzing circuits, DAQ, and LabVIEW. With samples containing various microparticle concentra...

Aluminum silicide microparticles with oxidized rough surfaces were formed on Si substrates through a spontaneous granulation process of Al films. This microparticle formation was caused by interdiffusion of Al and Si atoms at hypoeutectic temperatures of Al-Si systems, which was driven by compressive stress stored in Al films. The size, density, and the composition of the microparticles could b...

Current nonviral genetic vaccine systems are less effective than viral vaccines, particularly in cancer systems where epitopes can be weakly immunogenic and antigen-presenting cell processing and presentation to T cells is down-regulated. A promising nonviral delivery method for genetic vaccines involves microencapsulation of antigen-encoding DNA, because such particles protect plasmid payloads...

Manipulation of microorganisms with intrinsic motility is a challenging yet important task for many biological and biomedical applications. Currently, such a task has only been accomplished using optical tweezers, while at the risk of averse heating and photodamage of the biological samples. Here, we proposed a new micro-robotic approach for fluidic trapping and two-dimensional transportation o...

The present study was carried out to develop an oral formulation of pranlukast hemihydrate with improved dissolution and oral bioavailability using a surface-modified microparticle. Based on solubility measurements, surface-modified pranlukast hemihydrate microparticles were manufactured using the spray-drying method with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sucrose laurate, and water and without the...

The use of micro- and nanodevices as multifunctional systems for biomedical applications has experienced an exponential growth during the past decades. Although a large number of studies have focused on the design and fabrication of new micro- and nanosystems capable of developing multiple functions, a deeper understanding of their interaction with cells is required. In the present study, we ev...