Articles tagged with Erythrocytes
A recent study has shown that a gene variant in Duffy-negative individuals leads to a relative paucity of circulating neutrophils. This phenomenon may provide a selective advantage against infections such as malaria. Researchers believe that the specific properties of these neutrophils have a positive impact on innate immune responses.
A study identified a genetic rearrangement of red blood cell glycophorin receptors that confers a 40% reduced risk from severe malaria. The hybrid GYPB-A Dantu gene is found in some people from East Africa, but not in West African populations.
A new technique uses modified insulin and red blood cells to regulate blood sugar levels in mice with Type 1 diabetes. The system effectively reduces blood sugar levels for 48 hours and has shown promise in reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that malaria parasites change the properties of red blood cells to facilitate entry, making them more susceptible to infection. This discovery suggests that naturally flexible cells may be easier for parasites to invade, prompting further investigation into host-directed therapies.
A new microfluidic platform helps researchers understand how red blood cells recover their shape after deformation, shedding light on diseases like sepsis and malaria. The system reveals that cells hold less fuel under stress, contrary to intuition.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a technique to manufacture immortalized red blood cells, which can be cultured indefinitely and differentiated into mature red blood cells. This breakthrough could potentially provide a safe source of transfusions for people with rare blood types and areas with inadequate blood su...
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that a widely adopted blood transfusion practice may not benefit patients without traumatic injuries and may even be harmful. The practice, which involves giving patients more plasma than red blood cells during massive transfusions, was previously studied only in trauma patients.
Researchers have used modified red blood cells to deliver disease-specific antigens, preventing and alleviating multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes in early stage mouse models. The approach shows promise for inducing tolerance and could lead to new therapies for autoimmune diseases.
A study found that high EPA and DHA omega-3 levels in red blood cells were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. Women aged 65-80 with the highest quartile of omega-3 blood levels were 20% less likely to die from any cause.
Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have discovered how a promising malarial vaccine target, RH5, helps parasites invade human red blood cells. The study reveals that P113 anchors RH5 and provides a molecular bridge between the parasite and red blood cell, making it an attractive new target for malaria vaccines.
A new study by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital has successfully used stem-cell-derived cells to identify potential treatments for the rare blood disorder Diamond Blackfan anemia. The team found a promising compound called SMER28, which was able to get live mice and zebrafish to produce red blood cells.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that transfusing older blood (over 5 weeks) can lead to excessive iron release, potentially harming patients. The study suggests reducing the maximum storage limit of red blood cells from 6 weeks to 5 weeks.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a breakthrough technique that uses light to activate a drug stored in circulating red blood cells. This method could drastically reduce the amount of a drug needed to treat disease and thus side effects.
Researchers linked RBC size to oxygen delivery efficiency in extinct mammals and birds using fossilizable indicators. They found that these organisms had smaller RBCs and were likely better athletes than earlier terrestrial vertebrates.
Research finds that high levels of free haemoglobin in the blood are associated with increased brain shrinkage in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that treatments targeting haemoglobin levels, rather than iron, may be a more effective approach to slowing disease progression.
Carbon monoxide metabolism is linked to the body's circadian rhythms, and disruption can cause metabolic disorders such as diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Researchers have identified a reciprocal relationship between carbon monoxide production and the body's internal clock.
Researchers found that administering amlodipine alongside chelation therapy effectively reduces cardiac iron in patients with thalassemia major, potentially combating heart failure and fatal arrhythmias. The treatment is considered safe and inexpensive, with no significant side effects.
Researchers have designed a molecule that can trap and remove carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, protecting mice from poisoning. The engineered neuroglobin binds CO about 1,000 times more tightly than hemoglobin, selectively targeting the dangerous compound.
Scientists develop glucose-based molecules to reduce ice formation in red blood cells frozen at -80 degrees Celsius. The new protectants lower the concentration of glycerol needed, enabling faster processing and transfusion of thawed cells.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that a Plasmodium surface-protein is essential for the malaria parasite's life cycle in mosquitoes. The discovery provides a new approach to block transmission and offers hope for developing vaccines or drugs to alleviate malaria suffering.
Researchers found that people living at high altitudes with chronic mountain sickness produce significantly more red blood cells than those without the condition. This is due to an overproduction of the SENP1 enzyme, which boosts levels of other proteins promoting cell division and survival.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully repaired the gene causing sickle cell disease using CRISPR gene editing technology. The corrected human hematopoietic stem cells were then transplanted into mice and showed promise in producing functioning hemoglobin molecules.
A new study suggests that pretreating red blood cells with nitric oxide can reduce the risk of pulmonary hypertension, a life-threatening condition associated with transfusions. Pretreated RBCs showed improved survival and function after transfusion, outperforming stored RBCs not exposed to nitric oxide.
The AABB has issued updated guidelines for red blood cell storage time and transfusion use, citing analysis of over 5,000 patients across 13 randomized clinical trials. The new recommendations suggest that stored blood is as safe as fresh blood for stable hospitalized patients.
The updated AABB guidelines recommend a restrictive RBC transfusion threshold of 7-8 g/dl for hospitalized adult patients who are hemodynamically stable. The guidelines also suggest that patients should receive RBC units selected at any point within their licensed dating period, rather than limiting them to fresh units with a storage l...
Scientists have developed a new model to gauge blood sugar averages in diabetes, taking into account the age of red blood cells. This approach reduces the error rate of the A1C test, which can lead to inaccurate diagnoses and treatments.
A new blood sugar test method developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has been shown to cut diagnostic errors by more than 50% compared to current tests. The technique, which takes into account the age of red blood cells, offers personalized diabetes monitoring for over 400 million diabetics worldwide.
A team of international researchers has identified biophysical markers that could help assess the effectiveness of treatments for sickle cell disease. The study found improvements in red blood cells' shape and volume when treated with hydroxyurea, suggesting a new mechanism behind the drug's action.
Researchers found liver is the major site for elimination and recycling of red blood cells, contradicting previous belief that spleen plays a key role. The study identified bone-marrow-derived immune cells as the main recycling cells, which accumulate in the liver and recycle iron.
A large Canadian study found associations between blood donor characteristics and recipient survival in red blood cell transfusions. Recipients of female donor red blood cells were eight percent more likely to die than those receiving male donor blood, while younger donors (17-20 years) also had increased mortality risks.
A new computer model demonstrates how the tiny slits in the spleen prevent old, diseased or misshapen red blood cells from re-entering the bloodstream. The study provides a better understanding of how the spleen's function affects diseases that impact red blood cell shape and structure.
A new study finds that the spleen filters blood cells by imposing a 'physical fitness test' through its narrow passages, which defines the shape and size of red blood cells. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases affecting blood cell shape, such as malaria, and developing novel drug targets.
The study found that only four genes are necessary to reprogram skin cells into producing red blood cells, offering a potential solution for blood transfusions and anaemia treatment. This breakthrough could lead to personalized red blood cells for patients with rare blood types.
A recent study by Penn State researchers has revealed how the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exploits the human immune response to infect red blood cells. The parasite uses the complement system, a key part of the immune response, to evade detection and invasion, making it more challenging to develop an effective vaccine.
Researchers have developed minihepcidins, synthetic peptides that regulate iron absorption, to treat two genetic blood diseases. The compound normalizes red blood cell levels and reduces spleen enlargement in animal models of thalassemia and polycythemia vera.
Researchers used numerical simulations to investigate the effect of red blood cell hold position on strain field during tensile testing. The results show significant variations in deformed geometry and strain distribution, highlighting the importance of considering hold position in RBC tensile test interpretation.
Researchers developed a low-cost micromilling technique to fabricate microfluidic devices capable of performing partial separation of red blood cells from plasma. The device successfully visualized and measured blood flow, showcasing its potential for cellular-scale flow studies.
Researchers found specific red blood cell manufacturing methods cause less damage than others, potentially improving transfusion outcomes. The study debunks the long-held belief that storage duration affects DAMPs, instead linking levels to manufacturing processes.
Researchers found that impaired Nrf2 activity leads to increased hemolytic anemia, vascular inflammation, and lung injury in SCD mice. Pharmacological activation of Nrf2 improved survival and reduced age-related adverse effects.
A recent study found that severe anemia is a significant risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis in VLBW infants, while red blood cell transfusion was not significantly related to the development of NEC. This suggests that preventing severe anemia may be more important than minimizing RBC transfusion exposure as a strategy to decreas...
Researchers developed a microfluidic platform to assess dynamic deformability and adhesion of red blood cells in controlled microphysiological flow. The study found that non-deformable RBCs have increased adhesion at high flow shear stresses, suggesting an interplay between deformability and adhesion.
A study published in JAMA found that severe anemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. The researchers discovered this link after analyzing data from over 600 VLBW infants enrolled in the study.
Research provides new insights into Group A Streptococcus by demonstrating its toxin, Streptolysin S, targets a specific protein on red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Chemical inhibition of this protein reduces the toxin's activity and alters the pathology of GAS in skin infections.
Researchers demonstrate that fast molecules in the vicinity make blood cell membranes wriggle, but cells also become active when they have enough reaction time. The study reveals a balance between thermal fluctuations and internal forces causing the cells to change shape.
Researchers at OIST have reconstructed the 3D structure of Plasmodium falciparum protein PfEMP1, which deceives IgM antibodies and facilitates rosette formation. This understanding can aid in designing anti-malaria treatments that target these clusters.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discovered that a high-fat diet causes dysfunction in red blood cells, which can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. The study found that red blood cells play a key role in fueling adipose tissue inflammation and promoting atherosclerosis.
This study models and verifies the behavior of Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3) using the Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL). The authors use the Behavior Language for Embedded Systems with Software (BLESS) and Hybrid Annex (HA) sublanguages to capture discrete and continuous behaviors, respectively. They verif...
Scientists at UVA Health System find a way to prompt red blood cell production through dendritic cells, which could benefit people with diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. The approach may one day allow doctors to produce red blood cells on demand, benefiting those who cannot receive blood transfusions due to religious beliefs.
A new class of oral medications, HIF-PHIs, stimulates red blood cell production by mimicking a low-oxygen state. Promising results were achieved in phase 2 clinical trials, showing improved hemoglobin levels and reduced anemia in kidney disease patients.
A gene editing technique has been developed to increase the yield of laboratory-produced red blood cells, which could significantly reduce their cost. The technique targets a specific gene, SH2B3, and uses CRISPR gene editing to permanently shut it off in human embryonic stem cell lines.
A study of patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Sweden found no link between transfused red blood cell storage duration and mortality rates, serious complications, or adverse outcomes. Blood services follow national guidelines, allocating the oldest available unit first.
A team of researchers is using the Cray XK7 Titan supercomputer to simulate hundreds of millions of red blood cells in an attempt to develop better drug delivery methods and predictors for diseases like sickle cell anemia. The simulations are focused on understanding how these diseases interact with human blood vessels, particularly in...
Researchers discovered that mice lacking both Pten and Shp2 enzymes are prone to lethal anemia, which can occur even if they lack one of the enzymes alone. This finding suggests that genomic screening before treatment may help prevent anemia in cancer patients.
Research from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that delayed umbilical cord clamping in extremely preterm infants led to higher blood pressure readings and reduced need for red blood cell transfusions. The study, which examined 40 infants between 22-27 weeks gestation, showed no immediate safety concerns.
A study found that higher concentrations of naturally occurring trans fatty acids were associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death and fewer deaths from any cause. Researchers also discovered that low levels of industrially produced trans fatty acids did not pose a health risk, contradicting previous warnings.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that the placenta stores and gradually releases oxygen to support the growth of early embryos. The new study reveals how the placenta solves the problem of supplying oxygen to the embryo in its first few weeks after implantation.
A small imaging study found that cortical cerebral microbleeds were associated with reduced brain blood flow in cognitively normal older patients. The study suggests that chronic hypoperfusion may put these individuals at risk for neuronal injury and neurodegeneration.
Perimeter Institute has secured over $4 million in funding for fundamental research, training, and outreach through strategic partnerships. The investments will support renowned physicists and early-career researchers, fueling innovation and advancements in theoretical physics.
New research finds that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) preserves avian red blood cell viability, offering a potential solution for treating birds with life-threatening conditions. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of DMSO for long-term blood storage.
A systematic review highlights how anaemia can distort the regular method of diabetes diagnosis and lead to false diagnoses based on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The study found that iron deficiency and anaemia can increase HbA1c values without corresponding rises in blood glucose, making diabetes diagnosis unreliable.