Modified celluloses for erythrocyte deformability fractionation

Cellulose columns have been used to separate erythrocytes into deformability classes, but recoveries have been variable and incomplete. Columns of modified cellulose (propylaminocarbonylmethyl cellulose [PAC] and butylisourea cellulose [BIC]) were effective in increasing the recovery of both normal and sickle cells applied to the columns, with reasonable yields of rigid cells in the late fractions. In particular, sickle cells were recovered in 95% yield, and late eluting cells had a sharply reduced deformability index.