Lysis of erythrocytes by phosphatidylcholine containing polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes induced lysis of erythrocytes from various animals. Hemolysis of human erythrocytes occurred only above 37 degrees C. The incorporation of cholesterol and dicetylphosphate into liposomes did not affect the hemolytic activity of the phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Hemolysis was inhibited by EDTA and serum albumin. Liposomes prepared from rat liver phosphatidylcholine or those from synthetic dilinoleoylglycerophosphocholine are also hemolytic to human erythrocytes, whereas dimyristoyl- and dioleoylglycerophosphocholines are not. These findings indicate that the polyunsaturated fatty acid residues might be very important for the hemolytic activity of these phosphatidylcholine liposomes.