Temporal sequence of the human RBCs' vesiculation observed in nano-scale with application of AFM and complementary techniques

An Insight into the Stages of Ion Leakage during Red Blood Cell Storage

“…As had previously been reported [ 38 , 39 ] and confirmed in this work, lactate level significantly increases with the time of storage ( Figure 1 F), while the glucose level decreases ( Table S3 ). Such changes in glucose and lactate (resulting from glycolysis) systematically continue to occur in pRBCs during the whole time of storage.…”

“…It is suggested that phosphorylation of band 3 disrupts its interaction with ankyrin and this way weakens the membrane-cytoskeleton association [ 49 ], leading to modifications of cell morphology and the occurrence of reversible or irreversible effects on the cell and membrane properties [ 58 , 59 ]. The high state of band 3 phosphorylation was shown to result in echinocytic morphology and increased microvesicle release, providing another mechanism for vesiculation [ 49 ], leading to a decrease in the cholesterol and triglycerides levels in RBCs membrane and in consequence destabilizing their membrane structure, which we have observed in our previous studies [ 38 ]. AFM results together with the ion leakage presented in chapter 2.1. suggest the disruption of band 3 and RBC hydration alterations.…”

“…Furthermore, a rather constant [Cl − ] can be a result of band 3 depletion. As we have presented further on in Chapter 2.3. with the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and results published in our previous work [ 38 ], the disturbance of band 3 is also confirmed by formation of echinocytic morphology and increased microvesicle release, providing another mechanism for vesiculation [ 49 ]. Hence, a steady concentration of Cl − and HCO 3 − after the fifth week can be an effect of a decrease in both the amount and activity of band 3 in the membrane.…”

“…We have previously reported that ion exchange also influences the shape and functionality of pRBCs [ 38 ]. In anionic or non-ionized solutions, the RBCs become crenated (and known by the names of echinocytes), while in cationic solutions they become cup-like (stomatocytes) [ 56 ].…”

Sex-dependent membranopathy in stored human red blood cells

“… 1–6 We recently showed that a decrease in RBC deformability was observed as a relatively late consequence of packed RBC (pRBC) storage, while the analysis of vesiculation observed on the RBC membranes in nanoscale with the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) supported by analysis of biochemical parameters allowed for the detection of early changes. 7 However, these results, as well as those of other groups were mainly obtained from pRBC of male donors, or the sex of donors was not specified. 5 , 8 Recently, it has also been suggested that RBC from females are less prone to storage lesion and age slower than male erythrocytes 9 , 10 but these reports were mainly focused on metabolic and functional RBC analysis.…”