AUTHOR=López-Canizales Andrea M. , Angulo-Molina Aracely , Garibay-Escobar Adriana , Silva-Campa Erika , Mendez-Rojas Miguel A. , Santacruz-Gómez Karla , Acosta-Elías Mónica , Castañeda-Medina Beatriz , Soto-Puebla Diego , Álvarez-Bajo Osiris , Burgara-Estrella Alexel , Pedroza-Montero Martín TITLE=Nanoscale Changes on RBC Membrane Induced by Storage and Ionizing Radiation: A Mini-Review JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.669455 DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.669455 ISSN=1664-042X ABSTRACT=

The storage lesions and the irradiation of blood cellular components for medical procedures in blood banks are events that may induce nanochanges in the membrane of red blood cells (RBCs). Alterations, such as the formation of pores and vesicles, reduce flexibility and compromise the overall erythrocyte integrity. This review discusses the alterations on erythrocytic lipid membrane bilayer through their characterization by confocal scanning microscopy, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy techniques. The interrelated experimental results may address and shed light on the correlation of biomechanical and biochemical transformations induced in the membrane and cytoskeleton of stored and gamma-irradiated RBC. To highlight the main advantages of combining these experimental techniques simultaneously or sequentially, we discuss how those outcomes observed at micro- and nanoscale cell levels are useful as biomarkers of cell aging and storage damage.