Human red blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow and are believed to have an average life span of approximately 120 days. However, is it true for all red blood cells? What are the changes associated with red cell maturation, adulthood and senescence? What are the determinants of red cell life span and clearance? What are the mechanisms in control of red cell mass in healthy humans and patients with various forms of anemia? What are the markers of circulating red cell senescence and in cells during storage and transfusion?
For sure within the life span of red blood cells many cellular properties change leading to aged mixed cell populations in the circulation. Although red blood cells seem to be genetically terminated by the time they become red blood cells there are surprisingly versatile remodeling processes happening during their life span. Numerous disorders are believed to be associated with the aging process of red blood cells. Furthermore, in vitro aging and/or modifications as well as the slowing down of the modifications is an important issue in transfusion medicine.
However, many of the mechanisms behind such effects are far from being fully understood. In this context the Research Topic is set to include articles in the field of biochemical investigations, biophysical approaches, physiological and clinical studies related to red blood cell maturation and aging. This includes Original Research, Methods, Hypothesis and Theory, Reviews and Perspectives.

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