RBC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Lanka Ranaweera Dept. of Anatomy

Objectives

Describe the RBC characteristics Describe the RBC membrane structure Explain the maintenance of cell integrity Explain RBC structure related to function Describe the staining characteristics of RBC

Blood composition
Cells plasma

Erythrocytes

platelets

leukocytes

natural killer cells

90%

neutrophils
eosinophis basophils
Granulocytes

monocytes
B- lymphocytes T- lymphocytes
Mononuclear leucocytes

Erythropoiesis (RBC production)

pluripotent stem cells
Proliferation Differentiation Bone marrow

Erythrocytes
Nucleated red cell precursors in bone marrow = normoblasts/ erythroblasts

Once the RBC s have lost their nuclei

Immature / young form of erythrocytes

=
=

erythrocytes
reticulocytes

Final maturation in erythrocytes occur within 24-48 hours of release

Erythropoiesis

RBC anatomy

Outer plasma membrane enclosing Hb No nuclei & organelles Limited number of enzymes Shape : biconcave Diameter: 7.2 m Thickness : 2.6 m - rim 0.8 m - center Normal concentration: Male 4.1- 6.0 million/mm3
Female 3.9 5.5 million/mm3

Life span : 120 days

RBC structure & function

Principal function- gaseous transport (o2 & co2) 3 areas of RBC structure - crucial for normal erythrocyte survival and function

The RBC membrane Hemoglobin structure and function Cellular energetics

Defects / problems associated with any of theses will results in impaired RBC function

The RBC membrane

Standard fluid mosaic model

integral proteins Peripheral proteins

Semi permeable lipid bilayer + globular protein

Beneath plasma membrane meshwork of protein cytoskeleton

spectrin

RBC

very thin

efficient diffusion of gases from its surface inwards

determine

Peripheral protein Cytoskeleton protein

Biconcave shape of RBC

Enhance gaseous exchange

Large Surface to volume ratio

Erythrocytes

not rigid

viscosity of blood remains low Flexibility of membrane Deform readily

Pass through

Biconcave shape
Fluidity of membrane

Responsible
for

RBC pass through capillary diagram

smallest capillaries Capillary bifurcation

+

The constituents of the RBC membrane

Lipids

Proteins

: 40% - phospholipids cholesterol glycolipids sphingolipids : 50% - glycophorin spectrin ankyrin actin

Carbohydrates: 10% oligosaccharides

Phospholipids

Exchange between phospholipids in the

RBC membrane & plasma The fatty acid content of diet & plasma are correlated Changes of FA in the diet may have an effect on phospholipids in membrane
Decreased RBC survival and function

Cholesterol

Membrane cholesterol

plasma cholesterol

An increase in plasma cholesterol results in an

accumulation in cholesterol on RBC membrane
RBC appear distorted Decreased RBC function
Acanthocytes Target cells

Integral proteins

Major integral protein glycophorin Carry RBC antigens- blood groups (ABO & Rh) Act as receptors & transport proteins ATP Na+/K+ cationic pump & Ca++ pump systems
ATP depletion

Intracellular build up of Na+ & Ca++ Loss of K+ & H2O

+

Dehydrated cells

Decreased RBC function

Peripheral proteins

Strengthens the RBC membrane Gives elastic properties

ATP phosphorylation
ATP depletion

Decreased phosphorylation

Loss in membrane deformability

Decreased RBC survival & function

Haemoglobin Structure and Function

Hb - 33% of RBC volume Hb - 90-95% of the dry weight Hb synthesis :

65% during nucleated stages of RBC maturation 35% during reticulocyte stages

Normal Hb :

4 heme groups C protoporphyrin ring

+
iron & globin

Multichain structure of Hb

loads & unloads o2

Chains pulled togrther Expelling 2,3 DPG R form ( Relax state) Higher affinity for O2 O2 loads onto Hb

Space between chains widens 2,3 DPG binds T form ( Tense state) Lower affinity for O2 O2 unloads from Hb

Carriage of carbon dioxide

NaCl

Cellular energetics

ATP

maintenance of RBC function

Maintaining Hb in the reduced / active form

Membrane integrity & deformability

Maintaining the intracellular volume Producing adequate amounts of NADH, NADPH & GSH

Energy requirement of RBC

The anaerobic breakdown of glucose -4 metabolic pathways Glycolysis

generates 90% of required ATP 2 ATP

1 glucose
2 lactate

Hexose monophosphate shunt

510%of glucose is metabolizes in this way NADPH GSH

Protect RBC from oxidative injury

MetHb reducate pathway

maintains iron in the reduced functional state

NADH reductase pathway

NADPH reductase pathway

Absence of NADH & NADPH

metHb cant transport O2

Leubering Rapoport shunt

Accumulation of 2,3 DPG decrease the Hb affinity for O2
O2 unloading

Erythrocyte destruction

Each day - 1% of RBC removed & replaced Aged RBC glycolytic enzyme activity energy production loss of deformability + membrane integrity
Erythrocyte destruction

Aged RBC destruction

Extravascular Intravascular

90% of aged RBC

Mainly-spleen Liver Bone marrow

5-10% aged RBC

lumen of blood vessels

Staining characteristics of RBC

Standard method of examination of blood

Giemsa leishman

make a smear on a glass slide

Fixation

Staining technique
Ex under light microscope

Staining characteristics : eosinophilia

RBC Hb basic protein affinity for acidic dye eosinophilia/ acidophilia

Stain in pink