Importance of the cell membrane for the sequestration of aged erythrocytes

The erythrocyte membrane is an important cell organelle which determines the intravital life time of the cell in a decisive way. Their mechanic properties are closely connected with the metabolism of the cells. Increasing disturbance of the cellular metabolism especially in the course of biological aging leads to enhanced cell rigidity. It is supposed that the decreased elasticity of the aged erythrocytes in critical regions of the blood circulation (capillaries with a diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 micrometers) leads to pressure induced vesiculation and spherocytosis. It is possible that also IgG-receptors are demarked by this process. After passing a threshold concentration as immunobiological signals increased irreversible binding of IgG induces the sequestration of the erythrocytes by the erythrocyte destructing system.