KINETICS OF WATER TRANSPORT IN SICKLE CELLS

The results of stopped-flow studies on differences in the kinetics of osmotic water transport of sickle and normal erythrocytes are reported. The kinetics of inward osmotic water permeability are similar in sickle and normal red blood cells. The kinetics of outward water flux are significantly (.apprx. 38%) decreased in sickle cells. Deoxygenation does not modify the water influx kinetics in either type of cells, but accelerates considerably the rate of water efflux in sickle cells. No significant variation of water transport kinetics was observed in density-separated cell fractions of either type. Apparently membrane-associated Hb may decrease the outward water permeability; in deoxygenated sickle cells the fraction of Gh S near the lipid bilayer evidently is lower than in oxygenated conditions.