So I understand that schistocytes (red blood cell fragments) can be the result of numerous vascular disorders like disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, but is there anything inherently harmful about schistocytes themselves? As in do schistocytes cause harm (by, for example, somehow aggregating to form blockages) or are they just the result of harm (like the previously mentioned disorders)?
This is good link about your question.
https://www.google.ae/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiW-NbL8s_YAhVCbhQKHXjhAI4QFgiFATAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Ftopics%2Fmedicine-and-dentistry%2Fschistocyte&usg=AOvVaw3y6WqVsPFwXbBjR8miEHOL
It is not known if schistocyes is harmful. However, my personal believe is that this is the consequence of TMA or micro vascular thrombosis.
Hi Patrik, any foreign body in the circulation will attract the attention of the immune system, which can lead to an acute inflammatory response.
Also if schistocytes express phosphatydylserine (PS) on their surface then they can promote intra vascular coagulation.