During a typical 120 days lifespan of a RBC, it circulates through arteries, veins and small capillaries traveling –in total– a distance of 500 km ( Lasch et al., 2000). The primary function of RBCs is to enable respiration in tissues by providing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide via gas exchange in the lungs. Here we review the current knowledge on RBC deformability in different forms of hereditary hemolytic anemia and describe secondary mechanisms involved in RBC deformability. Altered RBC deformability could contribute to disease pathophysiology in various disorders of the RBC. These secondary processes could, however, play an important role in the premature removal of the aberrant RBCs by the spleen. Although mutations are known as the primary causes of these congenital anemias, little is known about the resulting secondary processes that affect RBC deformability (such as secondary changes in RBC hydration, membrane protein phosphorylation, and RBC vesiculation). All these factors may be altered in various forms of hereditary hemolytic anemia, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary xerocytosis. Deformability is a function of (i) structural elements of cytoskeletal proteins, (ii) processes controlling intracellular ion and water handling and (iii) membrane surface-to-volume ratio. 4Experimental Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germanyĭeformability is an essential feature of blood cells (RBCs) that enables them to travel through even the smallest capillaries of the human body.3Theoretical Medicine and Biosciences, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.2Red Blood Cell Research Group, Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and the Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.Schiffelers 1 Lars Kaestner 3,4 Richard van Wijk 1* Rick Huisjes 1 Anna Bogdanova 2 Wouter W.

Test viscosity of hemoglobin in rbc