The influence of temperature on red cell deformability

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine the influence of temperature on physical properties of red cell membranes. Red cells adhering to cover slips were subjected to fluid shear stress in a rotating disc apparatus for 1 min or for 10 min at temperatures ranging from 2 degrees to 50 degress C. They were fixed while subject to shear stress by addition of glutaraldehyde and then processed for examination and photography by reflected-light microscopy. Cell dimensions were obtained with a computerized planimeter. At shear stresses under 2 dynes/sq cm, cells changed shape from biconcave discs to tear drops, the dimensions of which were influenced very little by temperature or duration of shear stress. Above 2 dynes/sq cm, filamentous processes or “tethers” developed at attachment points of cells to cover slips. Tether length and the percentage of cells possessing tethers increased markedly with increasing temperature and duration of shear stress. At approximately 48 degrees C, a dramatic change occurred over a narrow temperature range such that cells were markedly elongated and irregularly deformed by a shear stress of 1 dyne/sq cm or less. These observations demonstrate that elongation of human red cells subjected to fluid shear stress in a rotating disc system is markedly influenced by temperature as well as by magnitude and duration of shear stress. They also indicate that significant increases in red cell membrane fluidity occur between 2 degrees and 24 degrees-37 degrees C and again between 48 degrees and 50 degrees C.

Erythrocyte aggregation in sudden flow arrest is linked to hyperthermia, hypoxemia, and band 3 availability

“…In autologous plasma, RBCs aggregate faster at higher temperatures than at 37°C, regardless of oxygen (Figure 4A, solids), and this may be due to increased deformability of RBCs at increased temperatures. 50,51 At 37°C, RBCs in homologous plasma at 0% O 2 aggregate significantly faster than autologous and homologous plasma at 10% O 2. RBCs in homologous plasma at 10% O 2 at 41°C take significantly slower to aggregate than any other condition (Figure 4A).…”

Congenital Defects with Impaired Red Blood Cell Deformability – The Role of Next-Generation Ektacytometry

“…Moreover, body or febril temperature may be particularly important since the increase of body temperature decreases RBCs' elasticity and filterability. However, this has no clinical effect on the pathophysiology of haemolytic anaemia [21].…”