Age dependency of red blood cell deformability and density: studies in transient erythroblastopenia of childhood

Abstract

Several investigators have demonstrated that red blood cell (RBC) deformability decreases progressively with increasing cell density and proposed that reduction in deformability plays a role in the senescence process of normal RBCs. Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) results from temporary cessation of erythropoiesis. Since no new RBCs are produced for some time, the circulating RBCs are relatively old. RBS density (phthalate-oil method) and RBC deformability (RBC elongation in a counter-rotating rheoscope) were studied in seven children with TEC and in 10 control children. The mean values of MCHC, RBC density and RBC deformation were not significantly different between TEC and control children. Compared to controls, the frequency distribution of RBC density in TEC was slightly shifted to higher values. The percentage of RBCs with extremely low densities (< 1.090 g/ml) was 0.9 +/- 1.2% in the patients and 5.6 +/- 2.3% in the controls (P < 0.001). The percentage of RBCs with high density (> 1.106 g/ml) was 6.4 +/- 2.1% in the patients and 4.9 +/- 1.8% in the controls (P > 0.10). The reduction of RBCs with low density in TEC suggests that RBCs with low density are relatively young. Since the percentage of RBCs with high density increased only slightly in TEC, we conclude that only a fraction of dense RBCs is old. In TEC, the frequency distribution of RBC elongation was slightly shifted to lower values. 5% of the RBCs studied in the control children had RBC elongation values above 0.39 (TEC 1.2%) and 5% had elongation values below 0.16 (TEC 6.7%). Thus, only a small fraction of highly deformable RBCs was diminished in TEC. These data suggest that a decrease in deformability is not a significant part of the normal ageing process of human RBCs.

Shear dependent red blood cell adhesion in microscale flow

“…A total number of 2000 particles were released every 1 s for a total simulation duration of 40 seconds, at which the flow reached steady-state. The particle density was set to 1.1 g/mL, simulating the average density of an individual RBC 44 . Video S1 displays the motion of flowing particles through the shear-gradient microchannel and change of particle concentration as the flow becomes steady-state.…”

Squeezing for Life – Properties of Red Blood Cell Deformability

“…During this RBC aging, hemoglobin-free vesicles are shed which leads to RBC dehydration and older RBCs with increased MCHC ( Bosch et al, 1994 ; Bosman, 2013 ). Altogether, this leads to a reduction in membrane elasticity and RBC deformability ( Linderkamp et al, 1993 ; Bosch et al, 1994 ). This implies that there is an important role for vesiculation in RBC deformability.…”

Microfluidic-Based Biosensor for Blood Viscosity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Using Disposable Fluid Delivery System

“…From the results, the RBCs droplet in the 40% glycerin solution remained nearly identical at the upper position, even without sedimentation. Furthermore, considering that the densities of normal RBCs range from 1090 kg/m 3 to 1106 kg/m 3 [52], the reference fluid was selected as a 40% glycerin solution (C glycerin = 40%), because its density was greater than that of the RBCs.…”