Study of Human and Animal Erythrocytes: markers of aging and clinical disorders

This thesis focuses on various aspects of erythrocytes in humans as well as animals. The scope was to identify the role and parameters of erythrocytes that differ with age and in diseases, describing functions of erythrocytes beyond oxygen transport. Work was done in three different laboratories across Europe, resulting in several small projects all connected by the recurring theme of erythrocytes: markers of ageing and clinical disorders. By means of these new insights, we hope to contribute to future research in the field. Within the partnership, quantification of 4.1a/4.1b ratio is being used to investigate changes imparted on RBCs by sport and exercise, or of the properties of RBCs from subjects exposed to peculiar environmental conditions such as high-altitude hypoxia. The primary aim of this project was to provide comprehensive knowledge of protein 4.1 which has been classified as the best erythrocyte age marker. The data from animal blood experiments provided in this thesis provides a basis for the possibility of further experiments in profiling animal erythrocytes, adding on to existing knowledge about their markers of ageing and also major differences amongst different species. The first side project during secondment at Sanquin discusses the involvement of von Willebrand factor in the severity of Sickle Cell Disease. The second side project was based on the correction of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency through protein transduction.