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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
Erythrocyte membrane elasticity during in vivo ageing
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 6, 1981
Summary
Erythrocyte membrane elasticity does not change with red blood cell aging. This suggests that factors other than membrane flexibility or cell shape determine erythrocyte lifespan in circulation.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Senescent erythrocytes may be trapped in the spleen due to impaired microcirculation passage.
- Understanding the mechanisms of erythrocyte removal from circulation is crucial for hematological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether erythrocyte membrane elasticity changes during in vivo aging.
- To determine the role of membrane flexibility in erythrocyte removal from circulation.
Main Methods:
- Human and rabbit red blood cells were fractionated by isopycnic sedimentation to isolate young and aged cells.
- Micropipette analysis was used to measure the membrane shear elastic modulus of erythrocytes.
Main Results:
- Erythrocyte membrane rigidity did not significantly alter with advancing age.
- Previous findings indicated that altered cell size and shape are unlikely to cause removal from circulation.
Conclusions:
- Erythrocyte lifespan is not determined by membrane flexibility or cell shape.
- Changes in viscous properties may play a role in determining erythrocyte lifespan.
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