Topo-optical investigation of the erythrocyte membrane alteration after prolonged retention in the splenal reticulum.
The extent of the splenal transit time is an important factor which influences the immunological behaviour of the red blood cells. An increased transit time of the RBC in the splenal reticulum leads to conformational effects on the erythrocyte glycocalyx. They consist in spatial disorder of the oligosaccharide side chains of the glycophorins with their sialic acid residues. These spatial disorders of the sialic acid residues correspond with the expression of IgG receptors, which initiate the process of the secondary elimination of the red cells.
D000818:Animals; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*