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Possible autoantibody binding to sickle erythrocytes.
1Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
Immunological Investigations
|June 1, 1990
Summary
This study reveals that prolonged sickling of red blood cells creates new binding sites for autoantibodies. This finding suggests permanent changes to the cell surface in sickle cell disease.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Autoantibodies excessively bind to certain sickle erythrocytes.
- The mechanism for autoantibody site development on sickle cells remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify autologous immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to sickle erythrocytes under specific conditions.
- To investigate the development of autoantibody binding sites during sickling.
Main Methods:
- Low-density sickle erythrocytes were subjected to prolonged deoxygenation (sickling) and reoxygenation.
- Cell-bound IgG was measured using a 125-iodinated protein-A-binding assay.
- Binding inhibition assays were performed using deoxygenated and oxygenated sickle cells.
Main Results:
- Sickle cells undergoing prolonged deoxygenation showed a 2-fold increase in autologous IgG binding compared to oxygenated cells.
- IgG binding was concentration-dependent and saturable.
- Deoxygenated sickle cells showed greater inhibition of IgG binding, indicating specific autoantibody interactions.
Conclusions:
- The sickling-associated increase in IgG binding suggests the development of specific autoantibody binding sites.
- These binding sites may result from permanent remodeling of the sickle red blood cell surface.
- This research sheds light on the immunopathology of sickle cell disease.