Reduced red cell filtrability due to red cell plasma protein interactions

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Protein adsorption onto cell surfaces is crucial in biological systems.
• Albumin is the most abundant protein in human plasma.
• Red blood cell surface properties influence their interaction with plasma proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption of albumin onto the red blood cell surface.
• To determine how changes in plasma ionic strength affect albumin adsorption.
• To assess the impact of albumin adsorption on red blood cell filtrability.

Main Methods:

• Incubation of blood with radio-labeled albumin (131I-albumin).
• Measurement of protein concentration in plasma.
• Assessment of red blood cell filtrability through nuclepore filters.

Main Results:

• Red blood cells decreased plasma protein concentration, indicating adsorption.
• Increased plasma ionic strength led to higher adsorption of 131I-albumin onto red cells.
• Multilayer albumin adsorption was observed at high ionic strength (450 mOsmol).
• Excess albumin adsorption significantly reduced red blood cell filtrability.

Conclusions:

• Human red blood cells adsorb albumin from plasma.
• Plasma ionic strength is a key factor modulating albumin adsorption onto red cells.
• Increased albumin adsorption negatively affects red blood cell deformability and filtration properties.