FIGURE 7.

RBC deformability was assessed using microsphiltration, an ex vivo model of splenic sequestration. RBCs, under partial positive pressure, flow through beads of various sizes to mimic the passage through the interendothelial slits within the spleen. RBCs that are more deformable are less likely to be retained in the metal beads. Blood banks from C57BL/6J mice (A, B) and FVB mice (C, D) were introduced into the beads after 2 days of cold storage (fresh) and after 6 or 12 days of storage for the C57BL/6J and FVB mice, respectively. The retention rate was compared to RBCs from C57BL/6 mice collected the morning of the experiment (Neg Cont) and RBCs incubated with glutaraldehyde fixed RBCs (Pos Cont). Each experiment was performed twice with eight technical replicates/experiment. Group differences were analyzed by unpaired T-Test (**p < 0.01; ****p < 0.0001).