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Erythrocyte membrane lipid reorganization during the sickling process
British Journal of Haematology
|February 1, 1979
Summary
Sickle cell erythrocytes show increased membrane lipid peroxidation and altered aminophospholipid binding during sickling. These changes suggest a lipid rearrangement in sickle cells, with lasting effects in irreversibly sickled cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease involves alterations in red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for identifying disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate membrane lipid alterations in sickle erythrocytes.
- To assess changes in lipid peroxidation, aminophospholipid binding, and fatty acid uptake during sickling.
Main Methods:
- Measured lipid peroxidation susceptibility in deoxygenated sickle cells.
- Assessed trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) binding to aminophospholipids.
- Evaluated fatty acid uptake and TNBS binding in irreversibly sickled cells.
Main Results:
- Deoxygenation-induced sickling increased lipid peroxidation and TNBS binding in sickle erythrocytes.
- Fatty acid incorporation into membrane phospholipids decreased in sickled cells.
- Irreversibly sickled cells showed altered TNBS binding, indicating permanent changes.
Conclusions:
- Sickling induces a rearrangement of membrane lipids in erythrocytes.
- These alterations are specific to the sickled state and can be permanent in irreversibly sickled cells.