Interspecies Diversity of Osmotic Gradient Deformability of Red Blood Cells in Human and Seven Vertebrate Animal Species

Abstract

Plasma and blood osmolality values show interspecies differences and are strictly regulated. The effect of these factors also has an influence on microrheological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation. However, little is known about the interspecies differences in RBC deformability at various blood osmolality levels (osmotic gradient RBC deformability). Our aim was to conduct a descriptive–comparative study on RBC osmotic gradient deformability in several vertebrate species and human blood. Blood samples were taken from healthy volunteers, dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, rats, and mice, to measure hematological parameters, as well as conventional and osmotic gradient RBC deformability. Analyzing the elongation index (EI)–osmolality curves, we found the highest maximal EI values (EI max) in human, dog, and rabbit samples. The lowest EI max values were seen in sheep and cat samples, in addition to a characteristic leftward shift of the elongation index–osmolality curves. We found significant differences in the hyperosmolar region. A correlation of mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration with osmoscan parameters was found. Osmotic gradient deformability provides further information for better exploration of microrheological diversity between species and may help to better understand the alterations caused by osmolality changes in various disorders.

Scaling of erythrocyte shape and nucleus size among squamate reptiles: reanalysis points to constrained, proportional rather than adaptive changes

“…Besides size and morphology, erythrocyte deformability can be influenced by other cellular factors such as cell membrane and cytoskeletal properties or intracellular viscosity [46,47]. Other factors affecting blood rheology and viscosity may include adjustments in haematological traits such as erythrocyte number and haematocrit [8,19,48] or changes in blood parameters such as osmolality or plasma viscosity [12,49,50]. Another limitation of our study is that we are in reptiles missing three-dimensional data on cell and nucleus size and shape, and we are still limited to two-dimensional data from blood smears.…”

Signaling mechanisms in red blood cells: A view through the protein phosphorylation and deformability

“…Mechanical stability at different osmolality levels also shows interspecies differences and SS dependent effects (Nemeth et al, 2016; Varga et al, 2022). The discrepancies in RBC mechanical responses among different species might be explained as the differences in the hematological indices such as RBC volume, size, viscosity, and the water permeability of the cell membrane (Baskurt, 1996; Benga, 2013; Varga et al, 2022). However, the differences in the cytoskeletal structure and the levels of protein phosphorylation may also have modifying effects on the diversity of RBC responses.…”

“…For instance, rat RBCs exhibit the highest capability of resistance to high SS levels up to 100 Pa whereas pig RBCs are the most sensitive. Mechanical stability at different osmolality levels also shows interspecies differences and SS dependent effects (Nemeth et al, 2016; Varga et al, 2022). The discrepancies in RBC mechanical responses among different species might be explained as the differences in the hematological indices such as RBC volume, size, viscosity, and the water permeability of the cell membrane (Baskurt, 1996; Benga, 2013; Varga et al, 2022).…”

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a Novel Parameter in Canine Disorders: Literature Review and Future Prospective

“…This occurs due to the shape and size of RBCs and, above all, the deformability of their cell membrane. In humans, many pathological conditions can affect RBC deformability and elasticity [ 65 , 66 , 67 ]. No studies have yet demonstrated similar results in animal diseases.…”