Erythrocyte shape transformation associated with calcium accumulation.

Calcium accumulation in erythrocytes leads to a disco-spheroechinocyte shape transformation with a loss of cellular deformability resulting in a decreased lifespan in the peripheral circulation. This review discusses the role of calcium in the morphologic alteration of erythrocytes which appears to involve modifications of the inner membrane cytoskeletal proteins that regulate cell shape and membrane deformability. It is hypothesized that calcium interacts with the cytoskeletal proteins to alter their physical state or spatial arrangement such that there is a contractile response of the internal lipid bilayer which causes the echinocytic shape.