Biomaterial Database

Membrane transport of Na and K and cell dehydration in sickle erythrocytes. 1993

C Brugnara

Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

The cellular concentration of Hb S plays a central role in the kinetic of Hb S polymerization and cell sickling. Blood of patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) anemia contains a variable fraction of cells which are markedly dehydrated and have increased Hb S concentration. Since a decrease in cellular Hb S concentration reduces Hb S polymerization and sickling, the study of the processes leading to sickle cell dehydration has important pathophysiological and therapeutic implications. Sickle cell dehydration is due to cellular loss of K and Cl. K loss in sickle cells can take place via either the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel, or the K-Cl cotransport, or the combined effect of oxidative damage and deformation of the red cell membrane. Inhibitors of K transport through these pathways could be used to prevent dehydration of sickle cells in vivo, provided that they can be administered safely.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009566	Nitrates	Inorganic or organic salts and esters of nitric acid. These compounds contain the NO3- radical.	Nitrate
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002712	Chlorides	Inorganic compounds derived from hydrochloric acid that contain the Cl- ion.	Chloride,Chloride Ion Level,Ion Level, Chloride,Level, Chloride Ion
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
D004913	Erythrocytes, Abnormal	Oxygen-carrying RED BLOOD CELLS in mammalian blood that are abnormal in structure or function.	Abnormal Erythrocytes,Abnormal Erythrocyte,Erythrocyte, Abnormal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000755	Anemia, Sickle Cell	A disease characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, episodic painful crises, and pathologic involvement of many organs. It is the clinical expression of homozygosity for hemoglobin S.	Hemoglobin S Disease,HbS Disease,Sickle Cell Anemia,Sickle Cell Disease,Sickle Cell Disorders,Sickling Disorder Due to Hemoglobin S,Anemias, Sickle Cell,Cell Disease, Sickle,Cell Diseases, Sickle,Cell Disorder, Sickle,Cell Disorders, Sickle,Disease, Hemoglobin S,Hemoglobin S Diseases,Sickle Cell Anemias,Sickle Cell Diseases,Sickle Cell Disorder
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic