Changes in electrophoretic mobility pattern of erythrocytes in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

The electric surface charge of erythrocytes in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) was analyzed by means of a fully automated cell electrophoretic instrument (Parmoquant-L). The electrophoretic mobility of PNH erythrocytes decreased significantly and showed a broader pattern. After a blood transfusion, erythrocytes of PNH patients showed a bimodal pattern because of the emergence of the higher mobility peak corresponding to normal erythrocytes. However, the next day after transfusion, this new peak disappeared. Furthermore, the next day after administration of Prednisolone, the main peak of the mobility pattern shifted to the higher side, and after treatment for 7 days, the pattern showed several peaks and tended to disperse. Reticulocytes had higher complement lysis sensitivity, lower cholinesterase activity and lower electric surface charge, and it was shown that PNH erythrocytes consisted of 2 populations. Studies on the electrophoretic mobility patterns of PNH erythrocytes under various conditions can be useful in understanding the properties of erythrocyte membrane surfaces.