A. Racca et al., Senescent erythrocytes: Modification of rheologic properties, antigenic expression and interaction with monocytes, MEDICINA, 59(1), 1999, pp. 33-37
Human erythrocytes have a well-defined lifespan of 120 days. Their eventual
removal from circulation is a complex process affected by many cellular pa
rameters, making them susceptible to sequestration in the spleen and other
organs. The purpose of this study was to investigate putative changes in rh
eologic properties, antigenic expression and interaction with monocytes of
senescent erythrocytes (SE). SE and young erythrocyte (YE) fractions were o
btained by differential centrifugation from 20 healthy donor blood samples.
Membrane rheomechanic properties (by difractometric method), ABO and MN an
tigens reactivity and erythrophagocytosis by peripheral monocytes were inve
stigated in each fractions. SE showed a little decrease in the deformabilit
y index and an increase of both membrane elastic modulus and surface viscos
ity. The studies performed indicate a decreased expression in the antigens
of both blood group systems studied (p < 0.01) and an increased rate of ery
throphagocytosis by monocytes in SE compared to YE (p < 0.01). The signific
ant modifications in the biomechanic properties of senescent red blood cell
membrane and the loss of antigenic expression could lead to physiological
phagocytosis.