Monocyte‐Induced Increase in Osmotic Fragility of Human Red Cells Sensitized with Anti‐D Alloantibodies

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Abstract
The mechanism by which human monocytes increase the osmotic fragility of red cells sensitized with Rh anti-D alloantibodies was studied in vitro. The increase in osmotic fragility and the lysis of red cells by monocytes were enhanced by cytochalasin B and inhibited by hydrocortisone. These effects were similar to the effects of these agents on lysosomal enzyme release by monocytes. Hydrocortisone was completely ineffective when added 1 h after mixing monocytes and sensitized red cells. The damage responsible for the fragility increase and lysis may be completed within 1 h and may be due to lysosomal enzymes released by the monocytes. Since for the full expression of the osmotic fragility increase and lysis an incubation time much longer than I h is required, the latter phenomena apparently are the non-specific sequelae of damage inflicted on the red cell by released lysosomal enzymes.