Microfluidic Platform Assesses Neutrophil Function in Sepsis Patients

Sepsis arises from infection and immune dysregulation, with neutrophils playing a central role in its progression. However, current clinical tools are unable to both isolate these cells and assess their functional activity simultaneously. This limitation hampers the accurate evaluation of immune status in patients. Now, a new system overcomes this challenge by offering rapid analysis of neutrophil behavior and disease-related dysfunction.

A research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (HFIPS-CAS, Hefei, China) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China) has developed a microfluidic platform to assess neutrophil function in sepsis. The system integrates two parts: a cell-sorting chip (CS chip) that extracts white blood cells from small blood samples with high purity and viability, and a deformation and chemotaxis chip (CD² chip) that measures neutrophil motility through deformation and migration times.

Image: The CD Chip (top) and The CD² Chip (bottom) (Photo courtesy of YANG Xiao)

The platform combines both sorting and functional assessment into one automated workflow completed in 30 minutes. Optimization using structural design and COMSOL simulations ensured gentle flow conditions, preserving cell integrity. In research published in Analytical Chemistry, clinical testing showed that neutrophils from sepsis patients exhibited markedly impaired motility, with prolonged deformation and migration times compared to healthy controls.

The team introduced a Neutrophil Motility and Function Index that merges motility parameters into a single diagnostic measure. This index demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy and strong correlation with established clinical markers. The system provides a rapid, label-free, and dynamic approach to immune function assessment, with potential applications in early diagnosis, precision monitoring, and guiding treatment strategies for sepsis patients.

Related Links:
HFIPS-CAS
First Affiliated Hospital of AHMU