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Transient reduction in erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoprotein β associated with the presence of elliptocytes
Author(s) -
Daniels G. L.,
Reid M. E.,
Anstee D. J.,
Beattie K. M.,
Judd W. J.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1988.00477.x
Subject(s) - sialoglycoprotein , red blood cell , antibody , membrane , immunology , sialoglycoproteins , red cell , biology , medicine , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , chemistry
Erythrocyte membranes from an anaemic patient receiving gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis had reduced β‐sialoglycoprotein (β‐SGP) content but normal expression of sialoglycoproteins α, δ and γ. Elliptocytes were present in the peripheral blood. The serum of the patient contained anti‐β‐SGP which did not appear to bind to her own cells. It reacted with all erythrocytes apart from β‐SGP deficient Leach phenotype cells. The antibody was inhibited by purified β‐SGP from normal red cells, bound to β‐SGP on immunoblots and also reacted with the abnormal β‐related‐SGP in erythrocyte membranes of both the Gerbich type and Yus type of Gerbich negative. Two years later the patient was no longer anaemic, no elliptocytes were seen in her peripheral blood film and her erythrocyte membranes had normal β‐SGP content. Antibody was no longer present in her serum and antibody from the earlier sample now reacted with the patient's erythrocytes. Erythrocyte membrane β‐SGP is known to be important in the maintenance of normal cell shape. It is likely that the transient occurrence of elliptocytes in the patient resulted from the concurrent temporary reduction in β‐SGP content of her erythrocyte membranes.