Change in i-antigen expression of erythrocytes during in vivo aging

The expression of i-antigen during the in vivo aging of erythrocytes from normal subjects and beta-thalassemic patients was investigated by immunofluorescence labeling and by immunoagglutination. The results showed that the expression of i-antigenic determinants inversely related to the aging of RBCs. This phenomenon could be either the result of a progressive loss of i-antigenic structures or the consequence of i to I transformation occurring during RBCs aging in vivo.