Erythrocytes: Structure, Functions and Clinical Aspects

The authors summarise advances in human pluripotent stem cells-derived erythroid development and molecular regulatory mechanisms. This research may provide a new perspective on human embryo erythropoiesis and a possible treatment for some hematological diseases. Erythrocytes are well equipped to carry out their functions due to a dynamic cell membrane, their inherent shape and lack of organelles and cytoplasmic viscosity. As such, the following section focusses on the causes of these modifications and their clinical implications. As an example of complexity in research towards the development of erythrocyte membrane-based drug delivery systems starting from animal erythrocyte, morphological, biochemical and drug release profiles will be reviewed in the penultimate chapter. The final chapter investigates the electrochemical behavior of erythrocytes at platinum, carbonaceous, and optically transparent electrodes via polarization and coulometric measurements. The order of magnitude of the quantity of electrons transferred between erythrocytes and electrodes was determined, and potential ranges showing indifference of the electrode toward red blood cells were identified.