Does cell density correlate with red cell age?
Morrison, M.; Jackson, C.W.; Mueller, T.J.; Huang, T.; Dockter, M.E.; Walker, W.S.; Singer, J.A.; Edwards, H.H.
Biomedica Biochimica Acta 42(11-12): S107-S111
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0232-766X PMID: 6675678 Document Number: 216344
We have examined age-related changes in red cells by employing a serial hypertransfusion protocol to generate populations of in vivo-aged mouse red cells. Studies of these old cells have revealed alterations in membrane components; namely, a conversion of band 4.1b to 4.1a and an increase in the amount of membrane-associated, Triton-insoluble globin. Furthermore, we have found that the erythrocyte does change in density, but only during the earliest stages of its life-span. As the cell continues to age, there is no longer a correlation between age and density.