Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced aggregation, hemolysis and
fusion of chicken red blood ceils (CRBC's) was studied in relation to
the following parameters: osmotic pressure, polymer concentration,
ionic strength, electrolyte species, surface charge removal and
glutaraldehyde fixation. Indirect evidence indicated that osmotic
pressure does not play a primary role in aggregation and fusion of red
blood cells. Maximum aggregation and fusion was obtained in solutions
of 20 and 40% PEG, respectively. In contrast, hemolysis increased
almost linearily with PEG concentration. The negative electrostatic
charge due to the presence of sialic acid on the membrane surface was
found to be the primary factor affecting aggregation, hemolysis and
fusion. Removal of the charge by neuraminidase or screening with cations
enhanced aggregation and fusion while inhibiting hemolysis. The
inhibition of aggregation by glutaraldehyde fixation, and hemolysis
and fusion results not attributed to surface charges, are discussed
in terms of intramembrane interactions with PEG.
fusion of chicken red blood ceils (CRBC's) was studied in relation to
the following parameters: osmotic pressure, polymer concentration,
ionic strength, electrolyte species, surface charge removal and
glutaraldehyde fixation. Indirect evidence indicated that osmotic
pressure does not play a primary role in aggregation and fusion of red
blood cells. Maximum aggregation and fusion was obtained in solutions
of 20 and 40% PEG, respectively. In contrast, hemolysis increased
almost linearily with PEG concentration. The negative electrostatic
charge due to the presence of sialic acid on the membrane surface was
found to be the primary factor affecting aggregation, hemolysis and
fusion. Removal of the charge by neuraminidase or screening with cations
enhanced aggregation and fusion while inhibiting hemolysis. The
inhibition of aggregation by glutaraldehyde fixation, and hemolysis
and fusion results not attributed to surface charges, are discussed
in terms of intramembrane interactions with PEG.
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