IgG receptor expression during in vitro ageing of erythrocytes.

The IgG receptor expression on the membrane of the erythrocytes (RBC) during in vitro ageing was tested by means of a macrophage-RBC-endocytosis technique. The objects were: NaF-treated, glucose-free incubated and vesiculating RBC. The experiments show that unmasking of IgG receptor sites can be attributed to membrane conformational changes caused by ATP depletion of the cells. Vesiculation processes and (endogenous) enzymatically produced breakdown of glycoocalyx components are probably not related to increased IgG binding of aged RBC.