Nano alterations of membrane structure on both γ-irradiated and stored human erythrocytes

Abstract

Purpose: Storage and ionizing radiation of human red blood cells (RBC) produce alterations on RBC membranes and modify their normal shape and functionality. We investigated early morphological and biochemical changes in RBC due to those stressing agents at the nanoscale level and their impact on blood quality.

Materials and methods: Whole blood samples from healthy donors were γ-irradiated with 15, 25, 35, and 50 Gy. Non-irradiated and non-stored RBC were used as control samples. Irradiated blood samples were stored separately at 4 °C and analyzed immediately and after 5 and 13 d. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), osmotic fragility and Raman spectroscopy were used to detect morphological and biochemical changes.

Results: RBC function is challenged by both irradiation and storage. The storage procedure caused nanometric variations over the surface of RBC membrane for both irradiated and non-irradiated cells. The membrane of RBC became more fragile, while the biochemical fingerprint of hemoglobin (Hb) remained unaltered.

Conclusions: Our work shows that the irradiation procedure leads to an increase in the number and size of nanovesicles along with the dose. The functionality of RBC can be affected from changes in the roughness, becoming more fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Keywords:

• RBC
• γ-irradiation/storage
• AFM
• osmotic fragility
• Raman spectroscopy

Acknowledgments

Management of references made by S.E. Navarro-Espinoza is greatly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This work was supported by grants of PROMEP DSA/103.5/15/7356 and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT): INFRA-2014-01/224294, INFR-2016-01/268666, INFR-2017-01/280443, PDCPN2014-01/248982 and fellowship of M. Acosta-Elias.

Notes on contributors

Monica Alessandra Acosta-Elías, Ph.D. Nanotechnology and AFM Bio.

Alexel Jesus Burgara-Estrella, Ph.D. Toxicology and Raman Bio.

J. Andre-i Sarabia-Sainz, Ph.D. Chemistry and proteomics.

Erika Silva-Campa, Ph.D. Inmunology and cell studies.

Aracely Angulo-Molina, Ph.D. Nanotechnology and cell studies.

Karla Josefina Santacruz-Gomez, Ph.D. Nanotechnology, design and drug deliver.

Beatriz Castaneda, Ph.D. Physics, Interaction live matter – radiation.

Diego Soto-Puebla, Ph.D. Physics, Statistical analysis and modeling.

Ana Irene Ledesma-Osuna, M.Sc. Chemistry-Biology, Osmotic fragility tests.

Rodrigo Melendrez-Amavizca, Ph.D. Physics, Radiation protection dosimetry analysis.

Martín Pedroza-Montero, Ph.D. Physics, Bio-spectroscopies, data modeling and biomedical experiments.