PhD thesis defense Thomas Klei: Red Blood cell clearence

On 16 June 2021 (13:00) Thomas Klei will defend his thesis 'Erythrocyte samsara'. Thomas' research provides further insights into the molecular mechanisms and processes underlying red blood cell clearance, which is of importance to improve survival of red blood cells after blood transfusions.

The red blood cell (RBC) is equipped with various molecules to counteract oxidative damage during oxygen transport as much as possible. Eventually, the RBC sheds parts of the membrane to continue performing its function. In doing so, the RBC slowly becomes smaller, rounder and less deformable.

This thesis describes the molecular mechanisms underlying the processes that ultimately lead to the clearance of the RBC in the spleen. We describe how gradual dehydration of RBC leads to adhesion molecule activation on the membrane of the RBC. These adhesion molecules are crucial for the trapping of old and damaged RBC in the red pulp of the human spleen.

Subsequently, a process is initiated that enables spleen macrophages to phagocytose these RBC.This proce.s "ghost formation," the partial disintegration of the RBC membrane so that hemoglobin is released, has proven critical for the recognition and phagocytosis of these RBC ghosts by spleen macrophages.  Thus, this thesis provides further insights into the molecular mechanisms and processes underlying red blood cell clearance.

Promotor: prof TW Kuijpers MD PhD
Copromotores: R van Bruggen PhD and R van Zwieten PhD

Venue: University of Amsterdam, Agnietenkapel (invitation only) and/or online