DECREASED SURFACE-CHARGE AND ACCELERATED SENESCENCE OF RED BLOOD-CELLS FOLLOWING NEURAMINIDASE TREATMENT

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 89  (3) , 581-591
Abstract
Female LAF1 mice were given single or repeated injections of Vibrio cholerae N''ase [neuraminidase] and the effects on circulating RBC [red blood cell] surface charge and life span were determined. I.v. injection of N''ase caused a rapid decrease in RBC surface charge of approximately 14%, and survival of such treated cells was reduced by approximately 1/5 by virtue of an acceleration of senescence. When RBC''s were treated in vitro with N''ase, a comparable (14-17%) reduction in surface charge was seen. Such cells, when injected into intact mice, showed a similar acceleration of senescence. When N''ase was injected i.v. into splenectomized mice, RBC survival was similar to that of controls. I.v. injection of N''ase 1 h before injection of labeled RBC''s did not alter RBC survival nor did it accelerate the clearance of carbon particles by the RES. N''ase apparently accelerates senescence in treated mouse erythrocytes by acting on the RBC''s and not by activating the RES. Absence of this effect in splenectomized mice implicates the spleen as the sensor of the induced alterations in surface charge. These results and those recently reported for treated RBC''s in the dog, rat, rabbit and man suggest that at least a portion of the phenomenon of RBC senescence may be related to the loss of RBC surface charge.

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