Mechanical stresses in erythrocyte membranes (theoretical models)

Abstract

The type of mechanical stresses that arise in erythrocyte membranes on exposure to catecholamines and steroid hormones is considered. Tensors of mechanical stresses and displacements were obtained for a membrane interacting with hormones. A possible mechanism of membrane rupture under mechanical stresses is discussed. Catecholamines and androgens increase the microviscosity of membranes, and alternating kink and stretching sites occur in the lipid membrane bilayer to produce a checker-wise pattern. The membrane becomes thinner in a stretching site (smectic A → smectic C transition). When tensile stresses increase further and exceed a certain critical value the membrane may rupture. It is possible that a gel phase L_β• → liquid crystalline phase L_α transition takes place in the stretching site of the lipid bilayer prior to disruption. The density of the lipid bilayer decreases in the process, pores form, and then cracks occur.