Altered red blood cell surface area in hereditary xerocytosis

Abstract

Hereditary xerocytes appear larger than normal red cells in scanning electron micrographs and exhibit a higher ghost packing volume. The major chemical components—protein, phosphorus, cholesterol and sialic acid—are increased uniformly, as are all polypeptides visible on gel electrophoresis patterns of xerocyte membranes. These data are consistent with a xerocyte surface area 15 to 25% above normal. Certain clinical anomalies common to this disorder, including unexpectedly low reticulocyte count and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate level, are discussed in the light of the present findings.