Red Blood Cells (RBC)
What are red blood cells?
Red blood cells are a type of blood cell. Blood contains three types of cells: white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, are the most common blood cell type, accounting for 40–45% of the blood’s volume. They contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Red blood cells have a diameter of about 6 micrometers, making them larger than platelets and smaller than white blood cells. Their small size allows them to squeeze through even the smallest human blood vessels.
What does RBC stand for?
RBC stands for red blood cells. Similarly, WBC stands for white blood cells, and platelets are often represented by PLT.
What is the major function of red blood cells?
The role of human red blood cells is twofold: to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues for cells to use and to transport carbon dioxide from the body’s tissues to the lungs for expulsion.
A protein called hemoglobin inside red blood cells is the transport molecule that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. It also has a characteristic red pigment, giving blood its red color.
What are the components of red blood cells?
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and are covered with a membrane composed of proteins and lipids. Hemoglobin—an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color—enables red blood cells to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Red blood cells do not have nuclei, allowing for more room for hemoglobin.
Red blood cells are unique biconcave cells (round with a flat, indented center). Their lack of nuclei makes them so flexible that they can pass through extremely small blood vessels.
How are RBCs used in medical research and treatment?
Recent advances in red blood cell (RBC) research have paved the way for significant improvements in diagnosing and treating blood-related disorders. One major breakthrough is the development of CRISPR gene-editing technology, which has shown promise in treating sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia by correcting genetic mutations at the source. Additionally, advancements in stem cell therapy enable the production of RBCs in vitro, offering the potential for transfusions without donor dependence.
Where are red blood cells produced?
Adult red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones. In human embryos, they originate in the yolk sac and liver. Blood circulates through the body via the veins and arteries from the bone marrow.
What stimulates red blood cell production?
In general, the production of red blood cells is controlled by erythropoietin, a hormone produced and released by the kidneys. Erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
The average adult human produces 2 to 3 million red blood cells every second, equating to about 200 billion red blood cells daily. Some conditions, such as a low oxygen content or red blood cell count, could trigger increased erythropoietin production.
How do red blood cells mature?
All blood cells (white, red, and platelets) are produced from stem cells called hemocytoblasts located in bone marrow. It takes about 7 days for a stem cell to fully mature into a red blood cell prepared to be released into the bloodstream.
During this process, the stem cell becomes an immature red blood cell called an erythroblast. Then, the nucleus and mitochondria of the erythroblast disappear, and the immature cell is gradually filled with hemoglobin. At this point, the cell is called a reticulocyte. Finally, the cell becomes a fully mature red blood cell and enters the blood, ready to transport oxygen throughout the body.
How are old red blood cells removed from the body?
Due to its lack of a nucleus, red blood cells live short lives; human red blood cells only survive for about 120 days. When red blood cells are old or damaged, they are ready to be eliminated from the bloodstream.
Red blood cell removal is controlled by specialized cells called macrophages in the spleen (part of the lymphatic system) and the liver. The spleen disposes of worn-out red blood cells and controls the amount of blood cells at work in the body. Additionally, the liver recycles iron from damaged red blood cells. Together, the macrophages in the spleen and liver remove old red blood cells from the body.
What diseases affect red blood cells?
While some red blood cell diseases are caused by illnesses or nutritional deficiencies, others are inherited. Anemia, characterized by a low RBC count or low hemoglobin, is common and can result from iron deficiency, chronic diseases, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Thalassemia encompasses inherited blood disorders leading to abnormal hemoglobin production. Polycythemia vera, a type of blood cancer, results in excessive RBC production. Bone marrow diseases, such as aplastic anemia, and conditions like hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels) also affect RBCs, leading to various health complications. Regular screening and early diagnosis are crucial for effective management and treatment.
What causes a low red blood cell count?
A low quantity of red blood cells can be caused by a variety of factors:
- Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma)
- Anemia
- Bone marrow failure
- Malnutrition
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid disorders
- Bleeding (internal and external)
- Hemolysis
Certain drug interactions or nutritional deficiencies (iron, copper, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, or folate) can also reduce red blood cell count.
What is red blood cell isolation?
A red blood cell isolation protocol is critical to preparing a blood sample for analysis. Centrifugal force is typically used to separate the components of whole blood. As a result, the particles create distinct layers, making it easier to obtain a cell type.
What are the methods of red blood cell isolation?
There are a few different approaches to red blood cell isolation.
One method is selection. Positive selection occurs when red blood cells are targeted and retained for downstream analysis. Conversely, negative selection occurs when other cell types are removed to leave the red blood cells untouched.
Red blood cell depletion is another approach in which a single cell type—in this case, red blood cells—is removed from a biological sample.
Is it possible to isolate DNA from red blood cells?
No. DNA is encased in the nucleus of cells, and red blood cells do not have nuclei. However, white blood cells carry DNA in their nuclei.
How do I remove contaminated red blood cells from my sample?
Akadeum’s revolutionary microbubble approach removes up to 99% of RBC contamination in a fast and easy workflow. This method provides a more efficient and gentle approach to separating RBCs from other blood components, enhancing the purity and yield of samples for research and clinical applications. Simply mix to bind, spin to separate, and aspirate to discard.