![misshapen blood cells misshapen blood cells](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/G4C44W/sickle-cell-anaemia-artwork-showing-normal-red-blood-cells-round-and-G4C44W.jpg)
In particular, the proteins of the membrane skeleton are responsible for the deformability, flexibility and durability and aids in recovering the discoid shape during rheology. Their membranes consist of 3 layers, the carbohydrate-rich glycocalyx on the exterior, the lipid bilayer that contains trans-membrane proteins and lastly, the membrane skeleton consisting of a structural network of proteins located on the inner surface of the lipid bilayer. These functions are highly dependent on membrane composition, and it is this composition that defines the properties of the RBC. RBCs are extremely deformable and elastic, as they are exposed to shear forces as they travel through the vascular system. Recently, Lopes del Almeida and co-workers pointed out that RBCs are not only a hemoglobin filled sacs, but are involved intimately in inflammation. However, their role in inflammatory conditions is sometimes under-valued.
![misshapen blood cells misshapen blood cells](https://www.rxleaf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_1116738098-870x478.jpg)
They also play a fundamental role in the coagulation system and in inflammation, and has been used in biochemical studies to determine levels of antioxidants. Red blood cells (RBCs) are discoid shape entities without a nucleus or mitochondria and their most important function is the carrying of oxygen to the cells of the body. The most important observation of the current research is therefore how fast RBC can adapt in a changed environment and that the pressure of fibrin fibers may trap the RBC tightly in the resulting clot. This entrapping causes severe shape changes due to the pressure of the fibrin onto the stressed cells. RBCs are easily deformed to a pointed shape in smears, and, with the addition of thrombin they are entrapped in the fibrin mesh of dense matted fibrin deposits. Thrombin is also added to whole blood exposed to iron, glucose and blood from diabetes and hemochromatosis patients. We compare shape changes in these experiments to RBCs from diabetic and hemochromatosis patients (wild type, as well as hereditary hemochromatosis with mutations H63D/H63D, C282Y/C282Y, H63D/C282Y, C282Y/wild type and H63D/wild type). Here, ultrastructure of RBCs is studied using a scanning electron microscope, and we determine how fast changes in healthy individuals are noted after exposure to iron and glucose. In inflammatory conditions, and in the presence of hydroxyl radicals, RBCs loose their discoid shape. The most important function of red blood cells (RBCs) is the carrying of oxygen, but they are also involved in inflammatory processes and during coagulation.