Biophysical Journal 52: 221-227 (1987)
© 1987 the Biophysical Society

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Spin label study of erythrocyte deformability. Ca2+-induced loss of deformability and the effects of stomatocytogenic reagents on the deformability loss in human erythrocytes in shear flow.

Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

ABSTRACT

The Ca2+-induced loss of deformability in human erythrocytes and the recovery of the lost deformability by stomatocytogenic reagents were investigated by means of a new flow electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin label method, which provides information on deformation and orientation characteristics of spin labeled erythrocytes in shear flow. The Ca2+-induced loss of deformability is attributed mainly to the increase in intracellular viscosity resulting from efflux of intracellular potassium ions and water (Gardos effect). Partial recovery of the lost deformability is demonstrated in the presence of stomatocytogenic reagents, such as chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, W-7, and calmidazolium (R24571). The recovery can not be explained solely by suppression of the Gardos effect due to the reagents. Incorporation of an optimal amount of the reagents into the membrane appears to compensate for the membrane modification due to Ca2+ ions to restore a part of the lost deformability.