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Published on: April 25, 2013
THE CATAPHORETIC VELOCITY OF MAMMALIAN RED BLOOD CELLS
1Laboratory of Research Medicine, Medical Clinic, the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
The Journal of General Physiology
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Mammalian red blood cell cataphoretic velocity remains stable over 24 hours in phosphate buffer. This velocity is unaffected by washing, standing, pregnancy, or anemia, showing no clear link to species or gelatin adsorption.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Understanding red blood cell surface properties is crucial for hematological studies.
- Cataphoretic velocity offers insights into the electrical charge and surface characteristics of cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability of mammalian red blood cell cataphoretic velocity under various conditions.
- To explore factors influencing red blood cell surface charge, including time, buffer composition, and external substances.
- To examine potential correlations between cataphoretic velocity and physiological states like pregnancy and anemia.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of cataphoretic velocity of mammalian red blood cells in M/15 phosphate buffer (pH 7.35).
- Assessment of velocity changes after prolonged suspension, successive washings, and contact with gelatin.
- Comparison of velocities across different mammalian species (human, rabbit) and in different suspending media (phosphate buffer, dextrose, serum).
- Evaluation of red blood cell velocity in pregnant versus non-pregnant individuals and in patients with severe anemia.
Main Results:
- Red blood cell cataphoretic velocity showed no significant change over 24 hours in phosphate buffer, nor after washing or standing.
- A consistent order of red cell velocity was observed in phosphate buffer and dextrose, with no apparent relationship to zoological order.
- Red blood cells did not adsorb gelatin from solution, unlike cholesterol and quartz, retaining their original velocity.
- Cataphoretic velocity was similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women and generally unchanged in severe anemias despite morphological changes.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian red blood cell cataphoretic velocity is remarkably stable under physiological buffer conditions and is not significantly altered by common experimental manipulations.
- Red blood cell surface charge appears independent of species (within mammals studied), pregnancy status, and severe anemia, and does not interact with gelatin under these conditions.
- These findings suggest a robust and consistent surface electrical property of red blood cells relevant to their biophysical characterization.
