Decreased life span and membrane damage of carbamylated erythrocytes in
vitro
TA Lane and ER Burka
Red blood cells exposed to cyanate (CNO) in vitro have a concentration-
dependent decreased cell survival time associated with an inhibition of the
ability of the cell membrane to synthesize lipids. The t1/2 of rabbit
erythrocytes exposed to 30 mM or 50 mM cyanate for 1 hr at 37 degrees C is
reduced from the normal 24 days to 15 and 9 days, respectively. The
cyanate-induced defect in membrane lipid metabolism is irreversible.
Carbamylation of membrane proteins and damage to metabolism are minimized
by limiting exposure in vitro to 15 mM cyanate at 4 degrees C for 30 min.
Cells carbamylated under these conditions do not have a shortened life
span. Levels of globin carbamylation of 0.5 moles CNO/mole hemoglobin,
shown to be clinically effective in prolonging the life span of sickle
erythrocytes, are obtained under these conditions and reach maximal levels
after only 30 min of incubation. Carbamylation of blood in CPD
anticoagulant is inferior to either ACD or heparin. The findings indicate
that adequate carbamylation of sickle erythrocytes with minimal red cell
membrane damage can be achieved without significant modification of the
standard plasmapheresis procedure utilized by the working blood bank.
Volume 47,
Issue 6,
pp. 909-917,
06/01/1976
Copyright © 1976 by The American Society of Hematology
