scholarly journals Modelling of Red Blood Cell Morphological and Deformability Changes during In-Vitro Storage

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3209
Author(s):  
Nadeeshani Geekiyanage ◽  
Emilie Sauret ◽  
Suvash Saha ◽  
Robert Flower ◽  
YuanTong Gu
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Structural Defects ◽  
Cell Deformability ◽  
Storage Lesion ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
In Vitro Storage ◽  
Rbc Deformability

Storage lesion is a critical issue facing transfusion treatments, and it adversely affects the quality and viability of stored red blood cells (RBCs). RBC deformability is a key indicator of cell health. Deformability measurements of each RBC unit are a key challenge in transfusion medicine research and clinical haematology. In this paper, a numerical study, inspired from the previous research for RBC deformability and morphology predictions, is conducted for the first time, to investigate the deformability and morphology characteristics of RBCs undergoing storage lesion. This study investigates the evolution of the cell shape factor, elongation index and membrane spicule details, where applicable, of discocyte, echinocyte I, echinocyte II, echinocyte III and sphero-echinocyte morphologies during 42 days of in-vitro storage at 4 °C in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM). Computer simulations were performed to investigate the influence of storage lesion-induced membrane structural defects on cell deformability and its recoverability during optical tweezers stretching deformations. The predicted morphology and deformability indicate decreasing quality and viability of stored RBCs undergoing storage lesion. The loss of membrane structural integrity due to the storage lesion further degrades the cell deformability and recoverability during mechanical deformations. This numerical approach provides a potential framework to study the RBC deformation characteristics under varying pathophysiological conditions for better diagnostics and treatments.

In vitro effects of temperature on red blood cell deformability and membrane stability in human and various vertebrate species

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Adam Attila Matrai ◽  
Gabor Varga ◽  
Bence Tanczos ◽  
Barbara Barath ◽  
Adam Varga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Cell Deformability ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
The Way ◽  
Rbc Deformability

BACKGROUND: The effects of temperature on micro-rheological variables have not been completely revealed yet. OBJECTIVE: To investigate micro-rheological effects of heat treatment in human, rat, dog, and porcine blood samples. METHODS: Red blood cell (RBC) - buffer suspensions were prepared and immersed in a 37, 40, and 43°C heat-controlled water bath for 10 minutes. Deformability, as well as mechanical stability of RBCs were measured in ektacytometer. These tests were also examined in whole blood samples at various temperatures, gradually between 37 and 45°C in the ektacytometer. RESULTS: RBC deformability significantly worsened in the samples treated at 40 and 43°C degrees, more expressed in human, porcine, rat, and in smaller degree in canine samples. The way of heating (incubation vs. ektacytometer temperation) and the composition of the sample (RBC-PBS suspension or whole blood) resulted in the different magnitude of RBC deformability deterioration. Heating affected RBC membrane (mechanical) stability, showing controversial alterations. CONCLUSION: Significant changes occur in RBC deformability by increasing temperature, showing inter-species differences. The magnitude of alterations is depending on the way of heating and the composition of the sample. The results may contribute to better understanding the micro-rheological deterioration in hyperthermia or fever.

scholarly journals The zinc-binding motif in tankyrases is required for the structural integrity and proper function of the catalytic domain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven T Sowa ◽  
Lari Lehtiö
Keyword(s):  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Zinc Binding ◽  
Structural Defects ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Acceptor Site ◽  
Structural Element ◽  
Zinc Binding Motif

Tankyrases are ADP-ribosylating enzymes that regulate many physiological processes in the cell and they are therefore possible drug targets for cancer and fibrotic diseases. The catalytic ADP-ribosyl-transferase domain of tankyrases contains a unique zinc-binding motif of unknown function. Recently, this motif was suggested to be involved in the catalytic activity of tankyrases. In this work, we set out to study the effect of the zinc-binding motif on activity, stability and structure of human tankyrases. We generated mutants of human TNKS1 and TNKS2 abolishing the zinc-binding capabilities and characterized the proteins biochemically and biophysically in vitro. We further generated a crystal structure of TNKS2, in which the zinc ion was oxidatively removed. Our work shows that the zinc-binding motif in tankyrases is a crucial structural element which is particularly important for the structural integrity of the acceptor site. While mutation of the motif rendered TNKS1 inactive likely due to introduction of major structural defects, the TNKS2 mutant remained active and displayed a different activity profile compared to the wild type.

scholarly journals Degradation of Red Blood Cell Deformability during Cold Storage in Blood Bags

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2143-2143
Author(s):  
Emel Islamzada ◽  
Kerryn Matthews ◽  
Erik Lamoureux ◽  
Mark D. Scott ◽  
Hongshen Ma
Keyword(s):  
Cold Storage ◽  
Tissue Oxygenation ◽  
Distribution Curve ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Cumulative Distribution ◽  
Cell Deformability ◽  
Storage Lesion ◽  
Rbc Deformability

Abstract RBC transfusions are a life-saving procedure, aiding both chronic and acute patients in restoring tissue oxygenation. The ability to store collected RBC units for prolonged periods has been one of the most transformative advances in medicine, significantly improving the reliability and the speed of access to blood. However, RBCs undergo a number of metabolic, structural, and biochemical changes during storage, collectively known as the storage lesion, that is detrimental to the quality of the RBC. A major challenge is the ability to evaluate the extent of the storage lesion, and thus the quality of the stored RBC unit directly prior to transfusion. The storage lesion can directly or indirectly reduce the ability of the RBC to deform through the small openings in the microvasculature. Rigid RBCs pose a risk of sequestration in capillaries, impeding blood flow and reducing tissue oxygenation, and are more likely to be cleared out by endothelial macrophages. Studies have shown that there is a loss in RBC deformability during storage and that the rate of RBC deformability loss is donor-dependent. Thus, RBC deformability can be a valuable and reliable biophysical marker of RBC unit quality. Currently, there is a need for a reliable measurement technique that is repeatable and sensitive enough to observe individual differences in RBC deformability in healthy donors, to enable quality control testing of RBC units. We have developed the microfluidic ratchet device, which sorts RBCs based on their deformability, allowing the measurement of both rigid and deformable sup-populations of RBCs within the sample, and generating a unique deformability curve. Here, we use this assay to predict the quality of stored RBC units. We assessed the deformability of 14 healthy donor RBC units through 8 weeks of cold storage at 4°C, which is 2 weeks beyond the Canadian Blood Services approved 6-week standard in Canada. We measured RBC deformability, standard hematological parameters (MCV, MCHC, MCH, and RDW), and hemolysis levels at the time of RBC unit manufacture (week 0), followed by weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. The microfluidic ratchet device operates by forcing RBCs to deform and travel through rows of tapered constrictions. Constriction size changes from 7.5 to 1.5 µm and is reflective of the microvasculature and vessel opening sizes encountered by RBCs in circulation. RBCs are sorted into 12 distinct outlets based on their deformability. Distribution of RBCs in outlets 1-12 can be quantified and used to calculate the cumulative distribution curve. The cumulative distribution curve provides a distinct deformability signature of each individual RBC sample, which can be defined as rigidity score (RS). RS provides an easy metric to compare the changes in RBC deformability throughout storage (ΔRS) in a single donor as well as across multiple donors. We show that there are both donor- and sex-specific differences in the RBC deformability signatures of stored RBC units. We observed significant inter-donor variability in RBC deformability measured on the day of the RBC unit manufacture, where male donors showed a more stable RBC deformability range (n=8, RS=3.00±0.18) compared to female donors (n=6, RS= 3.29±0.48). The average RS scores were stable between weeks 0-2 (ΔRS 0.07) and showed a reduction in deformability between weeks 1-6 (ΔRS 0.35), with the greatest loss seen between weeks 6-8 (ΔRS 0.42) of cold storage. Interestingly, the response to cold storage is variable, with ΔRS 0.22 to 0.90, suggesting that some donors are more susceptible to storage related changes in RBC deformability than others. Notably, the change in RS over time was donor-specific and did not correlate with RBC deformability at week 0. The majority of RBCs from male donors (ΔRS 0.485, p<0.05), but none of the female donors (ΔRS 0.172) showed changes in deformability during cold storage, suggesting that RBCs from female donors degrade at a slower rate compared to RBCs from male donors. The ability to profile RBC deformability at the individual blood bag level may help identify more stable RBCs for use in chronic and sensitive patients, or RBC units that can be safely stored beyond the 6-week storage window. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Adhesion and Stiffness of Detached Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro: Co-Treatment with Metformin and 2-Deoxy-d-glucose Induces Changes Related to Increased Metastatic Potential

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Špela Zemljič-Jokhadar ◽  
Gašper Kokot ◽  
Mojca Pavlin ◽  
Jure Derganc
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Cell Deformability ◽  
Huvec Cells ◽  
Static Conditions

Metastatic cancer cells can overcome detachment-induced cell death and can proliferate in anchorage-independent conditions. A recent study revealed that a co-treatment with two drugs that interfere with cell metabolism, metformin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, promotes detachment of viable MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In the present study, we analyzed if these detached viable MDA-MB-231 cells also exhibit other features related to cancer metastatic potential, i.e., if they are softer and more prone to adhere to epithelial cells. The cell mechanics of attached cells and floating cells were analyzed by optical tweezers and cell deformability cytometry, respectively. The adhesion was assessed on a confluent monolayer of HUVEC cells, with MDA-MB-231 cells either in static conditions or in a microfluidic flow. Additionally, to test if adhesion was affected by the state of the epithelial glycocalyx, HUVEC cells were treated with neuraminidase and tunicamycin. It was found that the treated MDA-MB-231 cells were more prone to adhere to HUVEC cells and that they were softer than the control, both in the floating state and after re-seeding to a substrate. The changes in the HUVEC glycocalyx, however, did not increase the adhesion potential of MDA-MB-231.

scholarly journals Degradation of Red Blood Cell Deformability during Cold Storage in Blood Bags

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emel Islamzada ◽  
Kerryn Matthews ◽  
Erik Lamoureux ◽  
Simon P Duffy ◽  
Mark D Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Cold Storage ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Cell Deformability ◽  
Storage Lesion ◽  
Progressive Loss ◽  
Rbc Deformability

Red blood cells (RBCs) stored in blood bags develop a storage lesion that include structural, metabolic, and morphologic transformations resulting in a progressive loss of RBC deformability. The speed of RBC deformability loss is donor-dependent, which if properly characterized, could be used as a biomarker to select high-quality RBC units for sensitive recipients or to provide customized storage timelines depending on the donor. We used the microfluidic ratchet device to measure the deformability of red blood cells stored in blood bags every 14 days over a span of 56 days. We observed that storage in blood bags generally prevented RBC deformability loss over the current standard 42-day storage window. However, between 42 and 56 days, the deformability loss profile varied dramatically between donors. In particular, we observed accelerated RBC deformability loss for a majority of male donors, but for none of the female donors. Together, our results suggest that RBC deformability loss could be used to screen for donors who can provide stable RBCs for sensitive transfusion recipients or to identify donors capable of providing RBCs that could be stored for longer than the current 42-day expiration window.

Structural integrity after cold storage of human epidermal model in hypothermosol: A correlative ultrastructural and fluorescent assay

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 270-271
Author(s):  
Henry H. Eichelberger ◽  
John G. Baust ◽  
Robert G. Van Buskirk
Keyword(s):  
Cold Storage ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Sodium Cacodylate ◽  
Ruthenium Tetroxide ◽  
Cacodylate Buffer ◽  
Before And After

For research in cell differentiation and in vitro toxicology it is essential to provide a natural state of cell structure as a benchmark for interpreting results. Hypothermosol (Cryomedical Sciences, Rockville, MD) has proven useful in insuring the viability of synthetic human epidermis during cold-storage and in maintaining the epidermis’ ability to continue to differentiate following warming.Human epidermal equivalent, EpiDerm (MatTek Corporation, Ashland, MA) consisting of fully differentiated stratified human epidermal cells were grown on a microporous membrane. EpiDerm samples were fixed before and after cold-storage (4°C) for 5 days in Hypothermosol or skin culture media (MatTek Corporation) and allowed to recover for 7 days at 37°C. EpiDerm samples were fixed 1 hour in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.2). A secondary fixation with 0.2% ruthenium tetroxide (Polysciences, Inc., Warrington, PA) in sodium cacodylate was carried out for 3 hours at 4°C. Other samples were similarly fixed, but with 1% Osmium tetroxide in place of ruthenium tetroxide. Samples were dehydrated through a graded acetone series, infiltrated with Spurrs resin (Polysciences Inc.) and polymerized at 70°C.

Hydrogels: A Versatile Drug Delivery Carrier Systems

1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1745-1756
Author(s):  
L H Baldaniya ◽  
Sarkhejiya N A
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Protein Delivery ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
Wound Healing Process ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Control Drug

Hydrogels are the material of choice for many applications in regenerative medicine due to their unique properties including biocompatibility, flexible methods of synthesis, range of constituents, and desirable physical characteristics. Hydrogel (also called Aquagel) is a network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, sometimes found as a colloidal gel in which water is the dispersion medium. Hydrogels are highly absorbent (contain ~99.9% water), natural or synthetic polymers. Hydrogel also possess a degree of flexibility very similar to natural tissue, due to its significant water content. It can serve as scaffolds that provide structural integrity to tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery to tissues and cultures. Also serve as adhesives or barriers between tissue and material surfaces. The positive effect of hydrogels on wounds and enhanced wound healing process has been proven. Hydrogels provide a warm, moist environment for wound that makes it heal faster in addition to its useful mucoadhesive properties. Moreover, hydrogels can be used as carriers for liposomes containing variety of drugs, such as antimicrobial drugs. Hydrogels are water swollen polymer matrices, with a tendency to imbibe water when placed in aqueous environment. This ability to swell, under biological conditions, makes it an ideal material for use in drug delivery and immobilization of proteins, peptides, and other biological compounds. Hydrogels have been extensively investigated for use as constructs to engineer tissues in vitro. This review describes the properties, classification, preparation methods, applications, various monomer used in formulation and development of hydrogel products.

Long-term in vitro Storage Technique of Valuable Birch Genotypes and Plant Production on its Basis

2019 ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
T.M. Tabatskaya ◽  
N.I. Vnukova
Keyword(s):  
Plant Production ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Ex Vitro ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
In Vitro Storage ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Regenerated Plants ◽  
Growing Conditions

A technique for the long-term (up to 27 years) in vitro storage of valuable birch genotypes under normal (25 °C, 2.0 klx, 16-h day and 8-h night) and low temperature (4 °C, 0.5 klx, 6-h day and 18-h night) growing conditions on hormone-free media has been described. The study explored for the first time the influence of different strategies to store the clones of Betula pubescens and B. pendula var. сarelica (6 genotypes) on the regenerative capacity of collection samples, adaptive potential of regenerated plants and plant production by the in vitro and ex vitro techniques. It was established that both storage strategies provided a persistently high survival rate (82-100%) and regenerative capacity of in vitro shoots (the multiplication coefficient of 4.2-6.3 and rhizogenic activity of 90-100%). The clones retained their characteristics of height growth under the in vitro and ex vitro conditions, and demonstrated intraclonal homogeneity and lack of signs of somaclonal variability. The plants showed substantial interspecific differences at the stage of multiplication and transfer to the greenhouse. The highest percentage of acclimated plants (75-98% depending on the clone genotype) was obtained after planting of micro plants straight in the greenhouse, which simplified the technology and made plant production less costly. long-term in vitro storage, birch, species, genotype, micropropagation, ex vitro adaptation, plant material

Assessing the Antimalarial Potentials of Phytochemicals: Virtual Screening, Molecular Dynamics and In-Vitro Investigations

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-300
Author(s):  
Saumya K. Patel ◽  
Mohd Athar ◽  
Prakash C. Jha ◽  
Vijay M. Khedkar ◽  
Yogesh Jasrai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Tylophora Indica ◽  
Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Resistance Protein ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Stable Trajectory

Background: Combined in-silico and in-vitro approaches were adopted to investigate the antiplasmodial activity of Catharanthus roseus and Tylophora indica plant extracts as well as their isolated components (vinblastine, vincristine and tylophorine). </P><P> Methods: We employed molecular docking to prioritize phytochemicals from a library of 26 compounds against Plasmodium falciparum multidrug-resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1). Furthermore, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for a duration of 10 ns to estimate the dynamical structural integrity of ligand-receptor complexes. </P><P> Results: The retrieved bioactive compounds viz. tylophorine, vinblastin and vincristine were found to exhibit significant interacting behaviour; as validated by in-vitro studies on chloroquine sensitive (3D7) as well as chloroquine resistant (RKL9) strain. Moreover, they also displayed stable trajectory (RMSD, RMSF) and molecular properties with consistent interaction profile in molecular dynamics simulations. </P><P> Conclusion: We anticipate that the retrieved phytochemicals can serve as the potential hits and presented findings would be helpful for the designing of malarial therapeutics.

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