Effect of ouabain on osmotic resistance and monovalent cation transport of red cells in hereditary spherocytosis

Non-immune interaction of erythrophilic IgG fractions with human red blood cells

Immunoglobulin G was separated on cellulose phosphate column to afford four distinct protein fractions (CP-I, II, III and IV). 125I-labeled fractions CP-III and CP-IV were found to be capable of binding specifically to normal human erythrocytes. The effect of the four fractions on osmotic resistance of red blood cells (RBC) was studied. RBC were obtained from eight patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS), from a single parent of two non-related patients, and from five normal donors. RBC fragility of normal and one parent were unaffected by any of the immunoglobulin fractions. In contrast, a small but significant decrease in osmotic resistance was observed when RBC from HS patients and the second parent were incubated with protein fractions CP-III and CP-IV.

Failure of ouabain to influence the osmotic fragility in hereditary spherocytosis

No effect of 3 mumol ouabain on the osmotic fragility of red blood cells in subjects suspected of being carriers of hereditary spherocytosis, as well as in patients with overt disease could be demonstrated. These results are in disagreement with a recent report. Some possible explanations for these discrepant results are discussed. It is concluded that ouabain probably adds little to the diagnostic capability of the osmotic fragility test.