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Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Ppublish 23 citations

PubMed: 35508805 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201481

Cyclic Mechanical Stresses Alter Erythrocyte Membrane Composition and Microstructure and Trigger Macrophage Phagocytosis.

Adv Sci (Weinh) 9(20):e2201481

Authors: Antoni Garcia-Herreros, Yi-Ting Yeh, Zhangli Peng, Juan C Del Álamo

Affiliations

  • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1200 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican St, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
  • Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, 850 Republican St, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.

Abstract

Red blood cells (RBCs) are cleared from the circulation when they become damaged or display aging signals targeted by macrophages. This process occurs mainly in the spleen, where blood flows through submicrometric constrictions called inter-endothelial slits (IES), subjecting RBCs to large-amplitude deformations. In this work, RBCs are circulated through microfluidic devices containing microchannels that replicate the IES. The cyclic mechanical stresses experienced by the cells affect their biophysical properties and molecular composition, accelerating cell aging. Specifically, RBCs quickly transition to a more spherical, less deformable phenotype that hinders microchannel passage, causing hemolysis. This transition is associated with the release of membrane vesicles, which self-extinguishes as the spacing between membrane-cytoskeleton linkers becomes tighter. Proteomics analysis of the mechanically aged RBCs reveals significant losses of essential proteins involved in antioxidant protection, gas transport, and cell metabolism. Finally, it is shown that these changes make mechanically aged RBCs more susceptible to macrophage phagocytosis. These results provide a comprehensive model explaining how physical stress induces RBC clearance in the spleen. The data also suggest new biomarkers of early "hemodamage" and inflammation preceding hemolysis in RBCs subjected to mechanical stress.

MeSH

Erythrocytes, Aged, Aging, Cellular Senescence, Stress, Physiological, Macrophages, Membranes, Cells, Hemolysis, Biomedical Research, Spleen, Erythrocyte Membrane, Blood, Phagocytosis, Microfluidics

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