Method of determination of the reticulocyte age distribution from flow cytometry count by a structured-population model.
BACKGROUND
A flow cytometry count of reticulocytes (RET) provides information about distribution of signal emitted by reticulocyte RNA. A new method of determination of the RNA degradation rate in RET is provided. This technique allows one to determinate the age distribution of RET.


METHODS
The method is based on a series of flow cytometry counts of cultured RET. From those counts, the changes of signal distribution of RET over time are obtained. The RNA degradation rate of individual RET is then resolved based on changes in the signal distribution of the whole population of cells. The obtained relation between signal and age allows obtaining a RET age density that can be used to characterize RET age distribution and age dependence of processes that control the population dynamics.


RESULTS
The total maturation time of RET in rats is 3 days. The median time that a homeostatic RET spends in blood or before it becomes a mature RBC is about 0.6 days, whereas a stress RET needs 0.8 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed method provides means for studies in vivo RET dynamics using age-structured models.
Wiczling
Paweł
P
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA.
Krzyzanski
Wojciech
W
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors