Sensitivity of the erythrocyte membrane bilayer to subhemolytic mechanical trauma as detected by fluorescence anisotropy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dao, K.M.^a | O’Rear, E.A.^a | Johnson, A.E.^b | Peitersen, S.E.^a

Affiliations: [a] School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, USA | [b] Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019 USA

Abstract: Exposure of human erythrocytes to subhemolytic shear stress is known to cause lipid loss and ion fluxes across the red cell membrane and to result in decreased filterability of suspensions of these cells. Damage to the lipid bilayer of traumatized erythrocytes has been examined by fluorescence anisotropy using the probe 1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Because literature methods for the introduction of the probe damaged the cells, a gentler method was developed using liposomes. Significant disruption of the lipid bilayer following subhemolytic trauma was detected by a decreased anisotropy of the membrane-bound fluorescent probe after stress.

Keywords: Fluidity, erythrocyte, mechanical trauma, deformability

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1994-31106

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 69-76, 1994