Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1977

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced aggregation, hemolysis and fusion of chicken red blood ceils (CRBC's) was studied in relation to the following parameters: osmotic pressure, polymer concentration, ionic strength, electrolyte species, surface charge removal and glutaraldehyde fixation. Indirect evidence indicated that osmotic pressure does not play a primary role in aggregation and fusion of red blood cells. Maximum aggregation and fusion was obtained in solutions of 20 and 40% PEG, respectively. In contrast, hemolysis increased almost linearily with PEG concentration. The negative electrostatic charge due to the presence of sialic acid on the membrane surface was found to be the primary factor affecting aggregation, hemolysis and fusion. Removal of the charge by neuraminidase or screening with cations enhanced aggregation and fusion while inhibiting hemolysis. The inhibition of aggregation by glutaraldehyde fixation, and hemolysis and fusion results not attributed to surface charges, are discussed in terms of intramembrane interactions with PEG.

Extent

73 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.

Identifier

FADT13893

Format

pdf

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