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On the hydrodynamic instability of hemoglobin solutions
1Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Biomaterials, Artificial Cells, and Artificial Organs
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Heterogeneous fibers form in red blood cell hemolysates due to protein denaturation at the air-liquid interface. These fibers contain membrane proteins and some hemoglobin, with most hemoglobin remaining soluble.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Outdated banked erythrocytes undergo changes affecting their protein components.
- Hemolysates are complex mixtures requiring characterization of precipitate formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of heterogeneous fiber formation in erythrocyte hemolysates.
- To identify the composition of these fibers.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of "stroma-free" hemolysates from banked erythrocytes.
- Stirring hemolysates to promote air-liquid interface exposure.
- Electrophoretic analysis of precipitated fibers.
Main Results:
- Heterogeneous fibers readily form in stirred hemolysates.
- Fiber formation is primarily caused by surface denaturation of hemoglobin and non-heme proteins.
- Fibers contain residual membrane proteins and some hemoglobin, while most hemoglobin stays in solution.
Conclusions:
- Surface denaturation is the main driver of fiber formation in erythrocyte hemolysates.
- The study elucidates the composition of these protein aggregates.