Erythrocyte cell membrane (None in common usage; sometimes abbreviated as RBC membrane or RBCcm in scientific literature)

The **erythrocyte cell membrane** is the specialized plasma membrane of red blood cells. It is a composite structure consisting of a lipid bilayer (made of cholesterol and phospholipids) and embedded proteins, providing elastic and mechanical stability, shape, and deformability to the cell. The membrane expresses numerous important blood group antigens (ABO, Rh, Kell, Duffy, etc.), which are crucial for transfusion compatibility. Its interaction with an underlying spectrin-based cytoskeleton confers unique flexibility, allowing erythrocytes to survive the mechanical stress of circulation and pass through narrow capillaries. Specific abnormalities or immune reactions directed against membrane-bound components can result in hemolytic disease or transfusion reactions.

Other names

Red blood cell membraneRBC membraneRBC cell membraneErythrocyte plasma membraneRBCcm

Not applicable at the structure level. Mechanisms pertain to specific proteins, e.g.:\n- Antibody-mediated destruction of cells presenting specific antigens (RhD, ABO)\n- Inhibition or modulation of ion transporters