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Membrane potential and human erythrocyte shape
1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, California 94305, USA.
Biophysical Journal
|March 1, 1997
Summary
External pH changes red blood cell shape, but this study found membrane potential does not independently alter erythrocyte shape. Experiments show red blood cells maintain a discoid shape across a wide range of membrane potentials.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Altered external pH induces shape changes in human erythrocytes (red blood cells), transforming them into stomatocytes or echinocytes.
- Previous studies suggested a link between red blood cell shape change and membrane potential, but lacked controls for other cellular variables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent effect of membrane potential on red blood cell shape.
- To determine if membrane potential mediates shape changes induced by altered pH.
Main Methods:
- Human red blood cells were equilibrated in solutions with varying chloride concentrations to manipulate membrane potential.
- Cellular parameters including pH, water content, chloride concentration, and membrane potential were precisely measured.
- Red blood cell morphology was assessed across a range of controlled membrane potentials.
Main Results:
- Red blood cells maintained a discoid shape across the tested membrane potential range (-45 to +45 mV).
- No significant correlation was observed between membrane potential and red blood cell shape when other factors were controlled.
Conclusions:
- Membrane potential does not independently influence human red blood cell shape.
- The study concludes that membrane potential is not the primary mediator of pH-induced red blood cell shape alterations.