Assay of red cell membrane deformability with some applications.
An improved method is described for measuring red cell membrane deformability via aspiration into the 0.6 micron pores of Nuclepore filters. Application of this technique to the membranes of echinocytes formed in various ways showed that the method of preparation, not the final shape, determined deformability. Old and young red cells had equally deformable membranes. Membrane deformability was independent of the internal viscosity of cells suspended in media over the range 300-600 mOsm, while between 300 and 100 mOsm the deformability decreased.
D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011312:Pressure; D014783:Viscosity