Variability of Intracellular pH within Individual Populations of SS and AA Erythrocytes

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Abstract
Individual populations of [human] AA and SS erythrocytes were fractionated according to cell density by centrifugation, and the fractions analyzed for intracellular pH (pHi), the mole ratio of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate [DPG] to Hb (DPG:Hb) and cell concentration of Hb (MCHC). The pHi of SS erythrocytes was consistently lower than that of AA erythrocytes throughout the density range and the lowest pHi of both cell types was found in cells with the highest density. As the highest density AA and SS erythrocytes were characterized by the lowest DPG:Hb values, their relatively low pHi cannot be ascribed to intracellular organic phosphate. A redistribution of H ions across membranes of AA and SS erythrocytes was apparently the ultimate result of progressive alterations in these membranes in vivo.