Work

Unraveling biochemical differences in the membrane of functional RBCs and elliptocytes using vortex beam-based micro-Raman spectroscopy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • In-vitro elliptocyte preparation mimicking hereditary elliptocytosis. • Vortex beam-based micro-Raman spectroscopy for elliptocyte membrane studies. • Elliptocytes show changes in membrane lipids, proteins, and their interactions. • Detection of interindividual biochemical differences in discocytes and elliptocyte. Understanding the complexity of membrane biochemical changes in in-vitro -induced elliptocytosis can be interesting as it may mimic those in hereditary elliptocytosis. Studying the membrane biochemical changes in metabolically active elliptocytes can be crucial, but most modern methods, such as ektacytometry and EMA binding tests, fail to do so. This study employs single-cell Raman spectroscopy, a proven technique to study biochemical changes in individual functional cells to investigate biochemical modifications in the membrane and cytoskeleton of elliptocytes. This was possible by applying a vortex beam, which can probe the RBC membrane with a reduced contribution from hemoglobin, which otherwise dominates the cell spectrum. Raman spectral variations in elliptocytes indicated changes in proteins, lipids, and lipid-protein interactions. The study also presented an incidental observation of diversity in membrane components and membrane-hemoglobin interaction among tested individuals.

Source: Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy

DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2025.125911

Authors: Panchanil Sarmah, Cheviri Ghanashyam, Ruchee Khanna, Aseefhali Bankapur

Institutions: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

Language: English

Topic: Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research

Subfield: Biophysics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750