Erythrocyte deformability — A partner of the inflammatory response

• Published in: Microvascular research Vol. 107; pp. 34 - 38
• Main Authors: Silva-Herdade, Ana Santos, Andolina, Giulia, Faggio, Caterina, Calado, Ângelo, Saldanha, Carlota
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Abdominal Muscles - blood supply; Animals; Blood Viscosity; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - pathology; Erythrocyte Deformability; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Erythrocytes - pathology; Inflammation; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - chemically induced; Inflammation - pathology; Inflammation - physiopathology; Intravital Microscopy; Leukocyte Rolling; Mice, Transgenic; Neutrophils - metabolism; Neutrophils - pathology; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - blood; Platelet Activating Factor; Regional Blood Flow; Stress, Mechanical; Time Factors; Venules - metabolism; Venules - pathology; Venules - physiopathology; Intravital microscopy; Inflammation; Erythrocyte deformability; Nitric oxide
• ISSN: 0026-2862; 1095-9319
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2016.04.011

We aim to establish an in vivo animal model of acute inflammation using PAF (platelet activating factor) as inflammatory agent and to study the erythrocyte deformability changes induced by the inflammatory response. Counting the number of rolling and adherent neutrophils to endothelium after 2, 4 and 6h of intrascrotal injection of PAF we showed the induction of an inflammatory state. Blood samples are collected in order to measure the erythrocyte deformability and to quantify NO efflux from the red blood cells (RBCs). The results show an increased number of rolling and adherent neutrophils after 2h and 4h of inflammation as well as decreased values of erythrocyte deformability in the same time-points. This result is in line with the need of a low blood viscosity to the recruitment process that will improve leukocyte migration towards the endothelial wall. NO efflux from RBCs is also affected by the inflammatory response at the first hours of inflammation. This animal model demonstrates in vivo the association between an acute inflammatory response and the rheological properties of the blood, namely the RBCs deformability. For those reasons we consider this as an adequate model to study acute inflammatory responses as well as hemorheological parameters. •Intravital microscopy in an animal model of acute inflammation and association with erythrocyte deformability•Erythrocyte deformability is impaired during an acute inflammatory response.•Highlight the association between acute inflammation and rheological properties.