[Changes in the form and ultrastructure of white erythrocyte ghosts during sealing and phthalocyanine dye sorption]

A study was made of the shape and ultrastructure of human erythrocytes unsealed and resealed for sucrose. The unsealed white ghosts assume unregular ameboid-like shapes. After resealing they acquire more regular spherical forms; the sub-membrane layer is dissociated, the plasma membrane undergoes numerous deformations. The same ultrastructure is revealed for the ghosts obtained from erythrocytes stained with phthalocyanine anionic dye (Heliogen Blue SBL). This dye is bound to the outer surface of the red blood cell, occupying no more than 2-4% of the cell surface.