Mercury leads to abnormal red blood cell adhesion to laminin mediated by membrane sulfatides.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to mercury is associated with numerous health problems, affecting different parts of the human body, including the nervous and cardiovascular systems in adults and children; however, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated the role of membrane sulfatide on mercuric ion (Hg2+) mediated red blood cell (RBC) adhesion to a sub-endothelial matrix protein, laminin, using a microfluidic system that mimics microphysiological flow conditions. We exposed whole blood to mercury (HgCl2), at a range of concentrations to mimic acute (high dose) and chronic (low dose) exposure, and examined RBC adhesion to immobilized laminin in microchannels at physiological flow conditions. Exposure of RBCs to both acute and chronic levels of Hg2+ resulted in elevated adhesive

SUBMITTER: Akkaya B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7098422 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature