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Normal and Pathological Erythrocytes Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy

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Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 736))

Abstract

Erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) are the most common type of blood cells in vertebrates. Many diseases and dysfunctions directly affect their structure and function. Employing the atomic force microscope (AFM) physical, chemical, and biological/physiological properties of RBCs can be studied even under near-physiological conditions. In this chapter, we present the application of different AFM techniques to investigate and compare normal and pathological RBCs. We give a detailed description for nondestructive immobilization of whole intact RBCs and explain preparation techniques for isolated native RBC membranes. High-resolution imaging of morphological details and pathological differences are demonstrated with healthy and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) erythrocytes revealing substructural changes due to SLE. We also present the technique of simultaneous topography and recognition imaging, which was used to map the distribution of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator sites on erythrocyte membranes in healthy and cystic fibrosis-positive RBCs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Biophysics, University of Linz, Linz, Austria

    Peter Hinterdorfer

Authors
  1. Andreas Ebner
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  2. Hermann Schillers
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  3. Peter Hinterdorfer
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Correspondence to Peter Hinterdorfer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, Milano, 20129, Italy

    Pier Carlo Braga

  2. , Robotics, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy

    Davide Ricci

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Ebner, A., Schillers, H., Hinterdorfer, P. (2011). Normal and Pathological Erythrocytes Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy. In: Braga, P., Ricci, D. (eds) Atomic Force Microscopy in Biomedical Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 736. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-105-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-105-5_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-104-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-105-5

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