title: Erythrocyte as a biological sensor.
abstract: The erythrocytes ability of sensing the local oxygen gradient through the hemoglobin conformation, along with changes in nitric oxide mobilization and vasomotor repercussions at the microcirculation, were reviewed in detail in this article. Different approachs trying to explain the erythrocyte death were additionally documented. Also, the influence of several types of molecules (vasoactive, oxidant/reductor) on the erythrocyte roles as sensor of (i) oxygen tissue needs, (ii) blood viscosity and myogenic environment, (iii) and inflammatory conditions were mentioned in order to highlight its physiologycal function and substitute the erroneous idea of the erythrocyte being simply a hemoglobin sac content.
authors.affiliation: University of Lisbon Medical School, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lopes de Almeida
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saldanha
mesh_terms: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D008833:Microcirculation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte; D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010100:Oxygen