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

Anna Zimna,Ewa Szczesny-Malysiak,Malgorzata Zygmunt,Tomasz Sacha,Katarzyna Maria Marzec,Fatih Celal Alcicek,Aleksandra Wajda,Katarzyna Bulat,Magdalena Kaczmarska

doi:10.3390/ijms22062885

Abstract

Packed red blood cells (pRBCs), the most commonly transfused blood product, are exposed to environmental disruptions during storage in blood banks. In this study, temporal sequence of changes in the ion exchange in pRBCs was analyzed. Standard techniques commonly used in electrolyte measurements were implemented. The relationship between ion exchange and red blood cells (RBCs) morphology was assessed with use of atomic force microscopy with reference to morphological parameters. Variations observed in the Na+, K+, Cl−, H+, HCO3−, and lactate ions concentration show a complete picture of singly-charged ion changes in pRBCs during storage. Correlation between the rate of ion changes and blood group type, regarding the limitations of our research, suggested, that group 0 is the most sensitive to the time-dependent ionic changes. Additionally, the impact of irreversible changes in ion exchange on the RBCs membrane was observed in nanoscale. Results demonstrate that the level of ion leakage that leads to destructive alterations in biochemical and morphological properties of pRBCs depend on the storage timepoint.

Highlights

The main function of the red blood cells (RBCs) is to carry respiratory gases, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide through the circulatory system
We have shown that changes in ion levels may be linked to alterations in biochemical and morphological properties of Packed red blood cells (pRBCs), progressing with storage time
Most of the ion concentrations measured in pRBCs fell out of the reference range for values found in the human plasma in vivo, already in the second week of storage

Summary

Introduction

The main function of the red blood cells (RBCs) is to carry respiratory gases, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide through the circulatory system. The biconcave shape of the RBC is maintained and stabilized by its cytoskeleton, composed of spectrin, F-actin, ankyrin, band 4.1, and other proteins that connect RBC’s skeleton with its membrane through junctional complexes. Such complexes mainly comprise protein band 3, glycophorin A, adducin, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) [2]. Cell membrane plays an important role in the functionality of the RBCs, ensuring proper gas exchange function. RBC adaptation to environmental changes can be modified by the number of exchanged ions

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