Cytoskeleton Remodeling Induces Membrane Stiffness and Stability Changes of Maturing Reticulocytes.

ABSTRACT: Reticulocytes, the precursors of erythrocytes, undergo drastic alterations in cell size, shape, and deformability during maturation. Experimental evidence suggests that young reticulocytes are stiffer and less stable than their mature counterparts; however, the underlying mechanism is yet to be fully understood. Here, we develop a coarse-grained molecular-dynamics reticulocyte membrane model to elucidate how the membrane structure of reticulocytes contributes to their particular biomechanical properties and pathogenesis in blood diseases. First, we show that the extended cytoskeleton in the reticulocyte membrane is responsible for its increased shear modulus. Subsequently, we quantify the effect of weakened cytoskeleton on the stiffness and stability of reticulocytes, via which we demonstr

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5937146 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature