{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Human red blood cells express the RNA sensor TLR7.
{Author}: Metthew Lam LK;Oatman E;Eckart KA;Klingensmith NJ;Flowers E;Sayegh L;Yuen J;Clements RL;Meyer NJ;Jurado KA;Vaughan AE;Eisenbarth SC;Mangalmurti NS;
{Journal}: Sci Rep
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 07 9
{Factor}: 4.996
{DOI}: 10.1038/s41598-024-66410-5
{Abstract}: Red blood cells (RBCs) express the nucleic acid-binding toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and bind CpG-containing DNA. However, whether human RBCs express other nucleic acid-binding TLRs is unknown. Here we show that human RBCs express the RNA sensor TLR7. TLR7 is present on the red cell membrane and is associated with the RBC membrane protein Band 3. In patients with SARS-CoV2-associated sepsis, TLR7-Band 3 interactions in the RBC membrane are increased when compared with healthy controls. In vitro, RBCs bind synthetic ssRNA and RNA from ssRNA viruses. Thus, RBCs may serve as a previously unrecognized sink for exogenous RNA, expanding the repertoire of non-gas exchanging functions performed by RBCs.