Morphology of haemoglobin-containing human erythrocyte ‘ghosts’

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Resealed erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ have been proposed as in vivo carriers for enzymes in the therapy of inherited metabolic diseases. A long life-span of this carrier is required when the erythrocyte ‘ghost’ is intended to be the site of substrate degradation in the circulation. Erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ have been prepared that show cell content and membrane transport characteristics that are closely similar to those of normal erythrocytes. Since the morphology of these ‘ghosts’ could probably also affect the in vivo life-span, haemoglobin-containing human erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ have been studied using scanning electron-microscopy. Preparation of the erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ involved a method of hypo-osmotic dialysis and consecutive iso-osmotic dialysis. Samples for scanning electron microscopy were prepared by fixation in glutaraldehyde, with post-fixation in osmium tetroxide. Dehydration was obtained by increasing concentrations of ethanol and critical-point-drying. Control experiments with normal erythrocytes showed no major artefacts by the methods used. Erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ showed polymorphic shapes. Two thirds were stomatocytes, but echinocytes and cells with deep invaginations or inter-twisted infoldings were also observed. Distribution of the different cell types could be affected by the preparation techniques used. Washing of the erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ at very low centrifugation speeds resulted in 60% of the cells appearing as biconcave discoids and one third as stomatocytes. The results demonstrate that the preparation disturbed the balance of the biconcave shape of resealed erythrocyte ‘ghosts’. Minor alterations of the methods allowed the preparation of erythrocyte ‘ghosts’, the majority of which showed morphology closely similar to that of normal erythrocytes. Attention must be given to all preparation factors to avoid irreversible damage and therefore prior to use of these cells in patients or when methods are altered, the morphology of these cellular carriers must be closely controlled.