Shape change of sickled erythrocytes induced by pulsed rf electrical fields

Abstract

The shape change of sickled erythrocytes induced by electrical pulses was investigated under various experimental conditions using different suspending media. The purpose of this research is to find a set of conditions under which sickled erythrocytes from an individual with sickle cell anemia (SS erythrocytes) can be desickled with minimal damage to the membrane. Previously we observed, using 0.9% NaCl solution, that rounding of the SS erythrocytes eventually led to hemolysis even when the field was turned off. Using short pulses, we have now observed that the rounding of sickled erythrocytes does not necessarily lead to hemolysis if buffer solutions such as Hanks' solution are used. The cause of the shape change is believed to be the perforation of the erythrocyte membrane by the potential induced by applied fields. The field-induced membrane potential has been calculated for spherical cells and infinitely long cylinders. Using an ellipsoid of revolution as a model, we generalize the calculation of membrane potential. These calculations indicate that a transverse field is less effective in inducing a potential than a longitudinal field.