title: Thromboembolic ischemic stroke changes red blood cell morphology.
abstract: BACKGROUND OR INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases causing morbidity and mortality worldwide. During ischemic stroke, erythrocytes undergo oxidative and proteolytic changes resulting not only in inflammation but also in changes in cellular rheology. During the event, fibrin fibers, which are typically a fine net, clot abnormally to form a clot of dense matted deposits (DMDs). This atypical coagulum causes blood cells to be trapped in the mesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we study red blood cell (RBC) ultrastructure in thromboembolic ischemic stroke using high resolution scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We show that RBCs in patients change shape, with membrane extensions that form close interactions with the DMDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the RBC membrane changes and resulting DMD interactions play a pivotal role in the persistent presence of thrombi. This ultrastructural observation might open a renewed debate regarding possible additional structural and biochemical roles of RBCs in the circulatory system.
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x323, ARCADIA, 0007, South Africa. resia.pretorius@up.ac.za
authors: Etheresia
authors: E
authors: Pretorius
authors: Boguslaw
authors: B
authors: Lipinski
mesh_terms: D048430:Cell Shape; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*