Ektacytometry and the Measurement of Cell Physical Properties. Commentary of papers

Abstract

This commentary is organized in three parts: first, some remarks on cell size and number and population heterogeneity; second, a discussion of deformability and the factors contributing to it, and a comparison with two other methods of measuring it; and third, an analysis of the limitations of the “deformability index” as used by Bessis et al., along with suggestions for two simple transformations which convert their same experimental data into quantitative measures more closely related to deformability. The comments are principally directed toward the Bessis, Mohandas, Feo paper and to the Bull commentary. By emphasizing certain speculative possibilities for the ektacytometer, beyond its presently established capabilities, the authors, in effect, invite a more critical and focused response, made in an effort to redress an imbalance as viewed from present perspectives. We must impatiently await the future to assess how much of their speculations are prophetic and how much are wishful thinking (I suspect there will be some of both).