Leukotriene C 4 decreases red blood cell deformabillty,as assessed by increased filtration index

Abstract

The functional involvement of the previously characterized high affinity binding of leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) in human red blood cells (RBC) has been investigated. By using a filtration technique in vitro, it was demonstrated that LTC₄ reduced erythrocyte deformability at low concentrations (10 ⁻¹⁰ - 10⁻⁶ mol. I⁻¹). This effect is highly specific since LTD₄ did not decrease the filterability of the cells. Factors affecting the binding also modified the filtration index. The possible role of this leucocyte metabolite in hemorheological disturbances including RBC deformability is suggested.