Exploring the role of red blood cells in hemostasis

Even though red blood cells are considered to be passive in hemostasis, recent findings support an active role of red blood cells in the coagulation process. Through the exposition of phosphatidylserine and the liberation of extracellular vesicles, red blood cells participate to the recruitment of factors of the coagulation cascade and to the production of thrombin. Furthermore, inclusion of red blood cells in clot allows for increased volume, decreased permeability as well as a better resistance to fibrinolysis. Finally, certain coagulation factors such as FXIII, actively promote red blood cells retention in the clot.
Our hypothesis is that red blood cells inclusion in clots is an active process mediated by interactions between clot component such as fibrinogen or platelet with red blood cells. Our first aim is to determine if such interaction take place. If it is the case, we want to identify the interaction partners responsible for red blood cell retention in clots.

Even though red blood cells are found in blood clots and affect their characteristics, they are still considered to be passively caught in the clot. We investigate in this project if they may actually be actively included in blood clots.