Nonlinear Local Deformations of Erythrocyte Membranes: Normal Erythrocytes (Part 1)

Investigation of mechanical properties of erythrocyte membranes is a pressing issue in practical reanimatology and rehabilitation, because erythrocyte's ability to deform determines the possibility of their passage through capillary network and blood rheology in general.

The purpose of the work: to study the process of nonlinear deformation of membranes of normal erythrocytes by the method of atomic force spectroscopy.

Materials and Methods. The local stiffness of erythrocyte membranes was studied: that of diskocytes — on the torus and on the depression, that of planocytes — on the cell surface. Аtomic force spectroscopy was used for cell membrane study.

Results. The nonlinear deformation process was described by functions h(z), h/z (h), and μ(h). This set of functions describes in full the process of probe incorporation (submergence) into membranes. It has been shown that stepwise dependencies of the stiffness coefficient of membrane segments differ significantly and depend on its condition.

Conclusion. The suggested approach may be used in fundamental and clinical studies of blood cells' properties in the norm and different diseases. The method of recording nonlinear deformations may be especially efficient in the reanimatology and rehabilitation practice. 

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