Related Experiment Videos
Reticulocyte rigidity and passage through endothelial-like pores
1Department of Biophysics, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642.
Blood
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Cell rigidity influences reticulocyte release from bone marrow. More rigid reticulocytes require higher pressures to pass through marrow pores, suggesting deformability is key for cell egress.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells released from the bone marrow.
- Cellular mechanical properties, such as rigidity, may play a role in this release process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell rigidity in regulating reticulocyte release from the bone marrow.
- To compare the mechanical properties of reticulocytes and mature red blood cells.
Main Methods:
- Obtained reticulocytes from phlebotomized rabbits.
- Separated cells using discontinuous density gradient centrifugation.
- Measured membrane elastic rigidity and viscoelastic response using single-cell micromechanical techniques.
- Assessed cell passage through an in vitro model of bone marrow endothelial pores.
Main Results:
- Reticulocyte membranes were found to be more rigid than mature cell membranes.
- Reticulocyte mechanical properties were heterogeneous.
- Reticulocytes required significantly greater pressure and longer times to traverse artificial marrow pores compared to mature cells.
- Increased rigidity correlated with decreased deformability.
Conclusions:
- Cellular rigidity is an important factor in regulating the release of reticulocytes from the bone marrow.
- The heterogeneous mechanical properties of reticulocytes may influence their egress.
- Deformability is critical for efficient cell passage through the narrow confines of the bone marrow.