The concept that production of a "perfect" PNH RBC, artificially, might supply information as to the nature of the defect(s) in PNH RBCs was the basis for a study in which normal RBCs were studied after preincubation in concentrated, alkaline solutions of reduced glutathione. These RBCs exhibited the following features of PNH RBCs.

1. Sensitivity to lysis by acidified serum

a. pH optimum identical to that of PNH RBCs

b. complete prevention by prior heating of serum to 56° C for 30 minutes

c. complete prevention by addition of dextran to serum

d. complete prevention by removal of magnesium ion from serum, reversed by re-addition of magnesium ion to serum

2. Positive thrombin lysis test.

3. Positive sucrose lysis test.

4. No agglutination in type-compatible serum.

5. No greater than normal agglutination in serum containing isoantibodies or elevated titers of cold agglutinins, but marked enhancement of lytic sensitivity to these antibodies, identical to that achieved with "natural" PNH cells.

6. Positive Hegglin-Maier test.

7. Decreased acetylcholinesterase activity.

8. Increased lysis and lipid peroxide formation during incubation with hydrogen peroxide.

The broad scope of these similarities permits cautious speculation that some biochemical feature(s) of PNH RBCs may have been produced in normal RBCs, artificially. The mechanism by which reduced glutathione produces the change is uncertain, but may involve either oxidation of membrane lipid or splitting of membrane protein disulfide bonds, or both.

This content is only available as a PDF.
© 1968 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1968
Sign in via your Institution