Dear Colleagues,

The multifunctional erythrocyte is central to matching oxygen supply, via the microcirculation, to tissue oxygen demand, generated by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, as well as the removal of CO₂ from tissues. Due to its constantly changing oxygen microenvironment, both erythrocyte membranes and proteins are highly susceptible to oxidative damage, necessitating elaborate antioxidant capacity and clearance mechanisms via vesiculation and cell suicide. In addition to transporting O₂, CO₂ and NO gases and releasing vasodilatory molecules in response to hypoxia, the erythrocyte also modulates immune, clotting and inflammatory reactions.

In this conceptual Journal Series, we are interested in the following questions regarding erythrocyte physiology and pathophysiology at the molecular level: 

1. How does the erythrocyte “sense” and respond to hypoxic environments?
2. How does the erythrocyte “sense” and respond to mechanical forces that impinge on it as it flows through the vasculature?
3. How does the erythrocyte protect itself from oxidative stresses and how are damaged RBCs processed and removed from the circulation?
4. How does the erythrocyte signal the vascular endothelium and what is its relationship with the microcirculation in terms of O₂ autoregulation?
5. What roles do erythrocytes play in the immune and inflammatory responses?
6. What effects do blood storage or a range of diseases such as sickle-cell disease, xerocytosis, sepsis, diabetes and COVID-19 have on erythrocyte physiology and function. 

Submissions, including original research reports, reviews, and letters dealing with these questions are welcome.

Dr. Ryon M. Bateman
Prof. Dr. Christopher Ellis
Guest Editors

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• erythrocyte
• hypoxia
• deoxyhemoglobin
• molecular switch
• metabolic shift
• mechanotransduction
• ion transport
• oxidative stress
• eryptosis
• microvascular autoregulation