Erythrocyte morphological states, phases, transitions and trajectories

Morphological response (MR) of red blood cells represents a triphasic sequence of spontaneously occurring shape transformation between different shape states upon transfer the cells into isotonic sucrose solution in the order: S(0) (initial discoid shape in physiological saline)-->S(1) (echinocytic shape at the beginning of MR, phase 1)-->S(2) (intermediate discoid shape, phase 2)-->S(3) (final stomatocytic shape, phase 3). In this paper, the dynamics of cell shape changes was investigated by non-invasive light fluctuation method and optical microscopy. Among 12 possible transitions between four main shape states, we experimentally demonstrate here an existence of nine transitions between neighbour or remote states in this sequence. Based on these findings and data from the literature, we may conclude that red blood cells are able to change their shape through direct transitions between four main states except transition S(1)-->S(0), which has not been identified yet. Some shape transitions and their temporal sequence are in accord with predictions of bilayer couple concept, whereas others for example transitions between remote states S(3)-->S(1), S(1)-->S(3) and S(3)-->S(0) are difficult to explain based solely on the difference in relative surface areas of both leaflets of membrane suggesting more complex mechanisms involved. Our data show that MR could represents a phenomenon in which the major role can play pH and chloride-sensitive sensor and switching mechanisms coupled with transmembrane signaling thus involving both cytoskeleton and membrane in coordinated shape response on changes in cell ionic environment.