Production of erythrocyte microparticles in a sub-hemolytic environment

Microparticles are produced by various cells due to a number of different stimuli in the circulatory system. Shear stress has been shown to injure red blood cells resulting in hemolysis or non-reversible sub-hemolytic damage. We hypothesized that, in the sub-hemolytic shear range, there exist sufficient mechanical stimuli for red blood cells to respond with production of microparticles. Red blood cells isolated from blood of healthy volunteers were exposed to high shear stress in a microfluidic channel to mimic mechanical trauma similar to that occurring in ventricular assist devices. Utilizing flow cytometry techniques, both an increase of shear rate and exposure time showed higher concentrations of red blood cell microparticles. Controlled shear rate exposure shows that red blood cell microparticle concentration may be indicative of sub-hemolytic damage to red blood cells. In addition, properties of these red blood cell microparticles produced by shear suggest that mechanical trauma may underlie some complications for cardiovascular patients.