Lectin-mediated microfluidic capture and release of leukemic lymphocytes from whole blood

Lectins are a group of proteins that bind specifically and reversibly to mono- and oligosaccharide carbohydrate structures that are present on the surfaces of mammalian cells. The use of lectins as capture agents in microfluidic channels was examined with a focus on cells associated with T and B lymphocytic leukemia. In addition to examining the adhesion of Jurkat T and Raji B lymphocytes to a broad panel of lectins, this work also examined the capture of these cells from whole blood. Captured T and B lymphocytes were eluted from the microfluidic devices with a solution of the lectin’s inhibiting sugar. The capture and release steps were accomplished in under 1 h. The significance of this work lies within the realm of low-cost capture of abundant target cells with non-stimulatory elution capability.