Ultrastructural modifications of the erythrocyte membrane in Down's syndrome

Spin label studies of erythrocyte membranes from patients with Down's syndrome showed no differences in the rigidity of membrane lipids with respect to normal subjects and a tendency for alterations in the state of membrane proteins. Electron microscopic studies demonstrated the occurrence of ultrastructural defects in membranes from trisomics which can be due to accelerated red cell aging as similar alterations were found in the fraction of oldest (most dense) cells in normal subjects.