Unveiling the Complexity of Red Blood Cells: Insights
into Structure, Properties and Functions
Alexandra AVRAM1,
Aurora MOCANU1, Gheorghe TOMOAIA2,3,
Cristina Lavinia ROȘOIU1,4, Cristina Teodora DOBROTĂ1,4,
Diana Alexandra FLOREA1, Maria TOMOAIA-COTISEL1,3
1 Babes-Bolyai
University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,
Research Centre of Physical Chemistry, 11
Arany Janos Str., RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Iuliu Hatieganu
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Orthopedics and
Traumatology, 47 General Traian Mosoiu Str.,
RO-400132, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov Str.,
RO-050044, Bucharest, Romania
4 Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca,
Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology, 44 Republicii Str., RO-400015,
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
*Corresponding author: Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel, mcotisel@gmail.com maria.tomoaia@ubbcluj.ro
Abstract. Considering the basic function of red blood cells (RBC,
erythrocytes) as carriers of oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the
bloodstream, as well as their possible secondary activities, RBCs deserve more
consideration. The current work attempts to serve as a summary of RBC
properties, both well-established and less well-established, with a focus on
pathologies and drug interactions. This review is especially important given the
recent trend of employing erythrocytes as vehicles for targeted medication delivery.
Keywords: red blood
cells, functions, pathology, interactions with drugs
DOI
https://doi.org/10.56082/annalsarscibio.2023.1.129
