Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, constantly move through blood capillaries. As a result, they damage their plasma membrane due to the continuous friction. Typically, after 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes become rigid and fragile as they wear out. As they pass through small vessels in the spleen and liver, they can get trapped and break apart into fragments.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.

Erythropoiesis

Erythropoiesis

Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen to all body tissues. These cells survive only for 120 days and then need to be replenished. Erythropoiesis is the process of RBC production. In healthy individuals, erythropoiesis ensures all tissues are amply supplied with oxygen. In addition, blood loss due to injury leads to a drop in the physiological oxygen level that will cause erythropoiesis. Any defect in erythropoiesis leads to several physiological disorders, including thalassemia, anemia, and...

Erythropoiesis

Erythropoiesis

Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen to all body tissues. These cells survive only for 120 days and then need to be replenished. Erythropoiesis is the process of RBC production. In healthy individuals, erythropoiesis ensures all tissues are amply supplied with oxygen. In addition, blood loss due to injury leads to a drop in the physiological oxygen level that will cause erythropoiesis. Any defect in erythropoiesis leads to several physiological disorders, including thalassemia, anemia, and...

Disorders of Erythrocytes

Disorders of Erythrocytes

Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...

Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis

Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis

The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Disturbed Red Blood Cell Structure and Function: An Exploration of the Role of Red Blood Cells in Neurodegeneration.

Frontiers in medicine·2018

Same author

Red Blood Cell Homeostasis: Mechanisms and Effects of Microvesicle Generation in Health and Disease.

Frontiers in physiology·2018

Same author

Fibre Bragg Gratings in Embedded Microstructured Optical Fibres Allow Distinguishing between Symmetric and Anti-Symmetric Lamb Waves in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2017

Same author

Acetylcholinesterase provides new insights into red blood cell ageing in vivo and in vitro.

Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue·2017

Same author

The Proteome of the Red Blood Cell: An Auspicious Source of New Insights into Membrane-Centered Regulation of Homeostasis.

Proteomes·2017

Same author

Inflammation-associated changes in lipid composition and the organization of the erythrocyte membrane.

BBA clinical·2016

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore

Published on: January 21, 2020

Erythrocyte vesiculation: a self-protective mechanism?

Frans L A Willekens¹, Jan M Werre, Yvonne A M Groenen-Döpp

¹Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands. fwillekens@alysis.nl

British Journal of Haematology

|April 19, 2008

Summary

Erythrocyte vesiculation removes membrane patches with removal molecules like phosphatidylserine (PS) and IgG. This process prevents premature removal of healthy red blood cells, allowing vesicles to be cleared from circulation.

More Related Videos

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols

Published on: January 2, 2013

Evaluation of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection

Evaluation of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection

Published on: February 14, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore

Published on: January 21, 2020

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols

Published on: January 2, 2013

Evaluation of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection

Evaluation of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection

Published on: February 14, 2018

Area of Science:

Hematology
Cell Biology
Immunology

Background:

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) lose significant hemoglobin via vesiculation during their lifespan.
The presence of other removal molecules within these vesicles was previously uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence of phosphatidylserine (PS) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in erythrocyte-derived vesicles.
To determine if senescent cell antigens are present in these vesicles.
To understand the role of vesiculation in erythrocyte removal and lifespan.

Main Methods:

Flow cytometry was used to detect phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and glycophorin A on vesicles.
Immunoblot analysis identified IgG and senescent cell antigen-associated band 3 breakdown products.
Comparison of vesicle contents with senescent erythrocyte markers.

Main Results:

67% of glycophorin A-positive vesicles exhibited phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure.
Half of PS-exposing vesicles also contained IgG.
A band 3 breakdown product, indicative of senescent cell antigens, was detected in vesicles.

Conclusions:

Erythrocyte vesiculation removes membrane patches containing removal molecules (PS, IgG, senescent antigens).
This mechanism prevents premature clearance of healthy erythrocytes.
Removal molecules on vesicles facilitate their rapid clearance from circulation.