Echinocyte
Echinocyte (from the Greek word echinos, meaning 'hedgehog' or 'sea urchin'), in human biology and medicine, refers to a form of red blood cell that has an abnormal cell membrane characterized by many small, evenly spaced thorny projections.[1][2] A more common term for these cells is burr cells.
Physiology
Echinocytes are frequently confused with
Causes
In addition to appearing as an artifact of staining or drying, echinocytes are associated with:[5]
- Uremia and chronic kidney disease
- pyruvate kinase deficiency
- hypophosphatemia
- hyperlipidemia
- Phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency
- Disseminated malignancy
- Myeloproliferative disorders
- Vitamin E deficiency
- Early posttransfusion of RBC
Echinocytes, like acanthocytes, may be found in hyperlipidemia caused by liver dysfunction, but the lipids themselves do not integrate into the membrane. Instead, it is speculated that cell surface receptors on the red blood cells bind with
These cells were also shown to develop in vivo during hemodialysis, and disappear at the end of the procedure. The level of echinocytosis appeared to be related to the increase in blood viscosity that occurs during hemodialysis.[7]
The formation of echinocytes can also be induced by electric field pulses.[8] Alternating electric current produces modifications in the membranes of red blood cells, attributed to a higher permeability to water and a decreased tonicity, leading to the transformation into echinocytes.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Mentzer WC. Spiculated cells (echinocytes and acanthocytes) and target cells. UpToDate (release: 20.12- C21.4) [1]
- ISBN 978-1-4377-2928-3.
- ^ MediaLab (July 12, 2013). "Burr Cells (Echinocytes)".
- ^ de Alarcon PA (Nov 30, 2011). "Acanthocytosis".
- ISBN 978-0781770231.
- PMID 4077979.
- PMID 9870478. Archived from the originalon 2013-07-13.
- PMID 9491371.
- PMID 28559698.