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The Role of Cytoskeleton of a Red Blood Cell in Its Deformability

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Abstract

The red blood cell (RBC) is unique in terms of its structure and function when compared to other cells in the blood and body. Its anucleated characteristic and biconcave shape (indicative of high surface area to volume ratio) render it deformable. This deformability is useful during circulation when the red blood cell has to traverse capillaries smaller than its size. The cytoskeleton of the red blood cell, a two dimensional sheet like structure with dynamic linkages, plays a major role in its deformability. The interdependent relationship between the cytoskeleton and RBC deformability under various conditions such as metabolism, hematologic and systemic disorders and senescence is reviewed.

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Acknowledgements

P.G. would like to acknowledge the funding from INSPIRE Faculty Grant, Department of Science and Technology, India.

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  1. Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560012, India

    Shivangi Paradkar & Priya Gambhire

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  1. Shivangi Paradkar
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Paradkar, S., Gambhire, P. The Role of Cytoskeleton of a Red Blood Cell in Its Deformability. J Indian Inst Sci 101, 39–46 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41745-020-00221-1

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