Separation of the acetylcholinesterase-deficient red cells in paroxysmal
nocturnal hemoglobinuria
FL Chow, SE Hall, WF Rosse and MJ Telen
Blood of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) most often
contains two or more populations of erythrocytes--one population with
normal sensitivity to lysis by complement (PNH I cells) and a second
population of moderately abnormal cells (PNH II cells) or markedly abnormal
cells (PNH III cells). PNH II and III cells exhibit moderately and markedly
increased sensitivity to lysis by complement, respectively, as well as
other membrane defects. We have devised a method for isolating pure, intact
PNH II and III cells from mixed populations by use of monoclonal antibodies
and cell affinity chromatography. Study of purified cell populations has
led to the identification of a further subtype, PNH IIIb, of PNH
erythrocytes. PNH IIIb erythrocytes are less sensitive to complement lysis
than PNH IIIa cells but are lysed by fluid-phase activation of complement,
unlike PNH II erythrocytes.
Volume 67,
Issue 4,
pp. 893-897,
04/01/1986
Copyright © 1986 by The American Society of Hematology
