Pathologically stiff erythrocytes impede contraction of blood clots.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blood clot contraction, volume shrinkage of the clot, is driven by platelet contraction and accompanied by compaction of the erythrocytes and their gradual shape change from biconcave to polyhedral, with the resulting cells named polyhedrocytes.

Objectives

Here, we examined the role of erythrocyte rigidity on clot contraction and erythrocyte shape transformation.

Methods

We used an optical tracking methodology that allowed us to quantify changes in contracting clot size over time.

Results and conclusions

Erythrocyte rigidity has been shown to be increased in sickle cell disease (SCD), and in our experiments erythrocytes from SCD patients were 4-fold stiffer than those from healthy subjects. On average, the final extent of clot contraction was reduced

SUBMITTER: Tutwiler V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10066851 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature