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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Deformability of Stored Red Blood Cells
Gregory Barshtein1, Ivana Pajic-Lijakovic2, Alexander Gural3
1Biochemistry Department, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Frontiers in Physiology
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is crucial for blood flow and cell survival. Cold storage impairs RBC deformability, impacting cell function and potentially leading to microvessel blockage.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is essential for navigating narrow blood vessels and ensuring adequate tissue perfusion.
- Loss of RBC deformability, due to aging or pathological conditions, can impede blood flow and compromise erythrocyte survival.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind reduced RBC deformability during cold storage is critical for blood banking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current research on the effects of cold storage on red blood cell deformability.
- To elucidate the biological mechanisms responsible for the loss of RBC deformability during in vitro aging.
- To identify potential strategies for preserving RBC functionality during blood storage.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating RBC deformability after cold storage.
- Analysis of changes in RBC morphology, membrane properties, and cytosol composition during storage.
- Examination of correlations between storage conditions and alterations in RBC deformability.
Main Results:
- Cold storage significantly reduces red blood cell deformability.
- Storage-induced changes in RBC membrane and cytoskeleton contribute to increased rigidity.
- Specific storage conditions and additives may influence the rate and extent of deformability loss.
Conclusions:
- Cold storage leads to a decline in RBC deformability, primarily through alterations in cell structure and function.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and mitigate storage-induced RBC rigidity.
- Optimizing blood storage protocols can help maintain RBC functionality for transfusion.
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