Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
08:17
Probing Structural and Dynamic Properties of Trafficking Subcellular Nanostructures by Spatiotemporal Fluctuation Spectroscopy
Published on: August 16, 2021
Structure and function in native and pathological erythrocytes: a quantitative view from the nanoscale.
Marco Girasole1, Simone Dinarelli, Giovanna Boumis
1Institute for the study of the Structure of Matter (ISM), National Research Council (CNR), Via fosso del cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy. girasole@ism.cnr.it
Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)
|April 28, 2012
Summary
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to understand their structure-function relationship. AFM revealed how environmental factors and aging affect cell morphology and nanomechanics, offering insights into cellular integrity.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Red blood cells (RBCs) are ideal models due to their simplicity, physiological relevance, and unique mechanical properties.
- Understanding RBCs' structure-function relationship is crucial for various biological and pathological contexts.
- Novel high-resolution techniques are needed to probe cellular behavior at the nanoscale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the life, death, and environmental interactions of erythrocytes using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- To explore how environmental factors and aging influence RBC morphology and nanomechanical properties.
- To establish new morphometric parameters for nanoscale investigation of RBCs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution quantitative microscopy, specifically Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
- Analyzed environmentally induced alterations and pathological morphologies of erythrocytes.
- Measured nanomechanical properties and plasma membrane roughness.
- Correlated AFM data with biochemical parameters like ATP content.
Main Results:
- AFM successfully probed RBCs' morphology, nanomechanics, and environmental interactions.
- Plasma membrane roughness emerged as a sensitive indicator of membrane-skeleton integrity.
- Erythrothrocyte aging is linked to intracellular ATP concentration, affecting membrane-skeleton structure and leading to specific morphological defects.
- AFM parameters effectively monitored aging-related changes in RBCs.
Conclusions:
- Erythrocytes serve as excellent models for testing novel microscopy techniques and exploring structure-function relationships.
- AFM provides valuable insights into RBCs' response to environmental stimuli and aging processes.
- Plasma membrane roughness is a promising parameter for nanoscale assessment of RBC structural integrity.
- The study elucidates the sequence of morphological changes during erythrocyte aging, initiated by ATP levels.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Structure 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...
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...
01:14Erythropoiesis
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...
01:18Structure and Function of Platelets
The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
01:27Disorders 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...
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...
01:22Lifecycle 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.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.