Detection of surface differences between two closely related cell populations by partitioning. Erythrocytes from inbred and out-bred rats and rat strains.
We have recently developed a new and powerful method capable of detecting, by purely physical means, surface difference between closely related red (or other) cell populations. The procedure consists of isotopically labeling (with [51Cr]chromate) aliquots of red blood cell populations. Such labeled cells are mixed with an excess of unlabeled red cells to which they are to be compared. The mixtures are subjected to countercurrent distribution in either a charge-sensitive or a non-charge-sensitive dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phase system. The distribution curves are analyzed for total cells (in terms of hemoglobin absorbance) and labeled cells (in terms of cpm). Changes in the relative specific activities through the distribution curves are indicative of subtle differences in surface properties between such cell populations. Using this method we have found that erythrocytes from arbitrarily chosen (presumably hematologically normal) individuals differ. In the current work we have examined the surface properties of erythrocytes from Sprague-Dawley and from Lewis rats. This was done with a view to determining whether (a) differences of the type found between different humans can also be detected in other species and (b), if such differences do exist, to examine, by study of the highly inbred Lewis rat strain, whether the differences appear to have a genetic or an acquired basis. It was found that the surface properties of erythrocytes from Lewis and Sprague-Dawley rats differ as do erythrocytes among rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain. No difference was found between red blood cells from different rats of the inbred Lewis strain. These results indicate that the surface differences between red blood cells from different rats detected by partitioning have a genetic rather than acquired origin.
D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008722:Methods; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000097:blood*; D013499:Surface Properties
D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D008563:Membrane Lipids