[Changes in the levels of erythrocyte membrane proteins in hypertension].

The distribution of specific proteins in erythrocyte membranes was studied in patients with essential hypertension (EH) (n = 44), secondary hypertension of renal genesis (n = 42), and healthy persons (n = 44). Densitograms of gel analyzed after electrophoresis of erythrocyte ghosts showed a twofold increase in polypeptide levels in EH patients as compared to those in health persons: the band being 4.5 (Mw = 52-59 kD) and 6 (Mw = 35 kD), respectively. Radioimmunoassay has demonstrated that the amount of monoclonal antibodies bound to fragmented erythrocyte membranes from EH patients is greater by at least 28% than that in healthy persons. Patients with secondary arterial hypertension of renal genesis showed no significant difference in monoclonal antibody binding as compared to the controls.