Abstract
Electrical charge on any biological surface plays a crucial role in its interaction with other molecules or surfaces. Here, we study, under flow conditions, the interactions of erythrocytes with an artificial surface: a platinum microelectrode whose charge density ranges from –15 to +27 µC/cm2. This artificial surface could be similar in surface charge to an endothelium or a biomaterial. In this model, interactions are measured as a transient relative increase of the electrolyte resistance obtained by impedance measurement of a microelectrode. A maximal interaction of erythrocytes with the charged surface is calculated in the 0 to +10 µC/cm2 charge density range. At negative surface charge, a less efficient contact was obtained because of electrostatic repulsion forces. High positive surface charge (charge density >10 µC/cm2) does not improve the contact but induces a progressive decrease in the contact efficiency, which could be explained by a rearrangement of macromolecules on the erythrocyte surface or an effect of positive groups on the cell membrane. This work suggests that a greater surface area of contact is obtained in the 0 to +10 µC/cm2 charge density range and that this is provided by more molecular bridges.
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Received: 23 February 1996 / Accepted: 26 April 1996
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Godin, C., Caprani, A. Interactions of erythrocytes with an artificial wall: influence of the electrical surface charge. Eur Biophys J 25, 25–30 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002490050012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002490050012