       Document 0805
 DOCN  M9610805
 TI    In vitro proteolysis of the red cell membrane in patients with HIV
       infection.
 DT    9601
 AU    De Angelis V; Biasinutto C; Pradella P; Steffan A; Spina M; Errante D;
       De Matteis MC; Vettore L; Servizio Immunotrasfusionale e Analisi
       Cliniche, IRCCS Centro di; Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italia.
 SO    Pathobiology. 1995;63(1):42-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96055647
 AB    It has been suggested that acquired abnormalities of the red cell
       membrane due to various injuries [azidothymidine (AZT) therapy,
       immunoglobulin coating of red cells, differentiation abnormalities of
       erythroid precursors] contribute to the onset of anaemia in HIV-infected
       patients. In vitro proteolysis of erythrocyte membrane proteins is
       regarded as a molecular marker of membrane damage induced in vivo by
       different agents. We therefore investigated in vitro proteolysis of
       ghosts derived from red blood cells of 30 HIV-infected patients.
       Considered collectively, there was no significant increase in in vitro
       proteolysis in ghosts from anaemic HIV patients. However, a
       significantly higher degree of in vitro self-digestion of RBC membrane
       proteins was evident in HIV-infected patients with spleen enlargement,
       but not in splenomegalic patients suffering from liver cirrhosis.
       Neither AZT therapy nor the presence of a positive direct antiglobulin
       test seemed to be directly associated with increased in vitro protein
       breakdown. The results seem to suggest damage of the red cell membrane
       in HIV infection, induced by injuries on red cells during their
       prolonged retention inside an enlarged spleen, while it seems unlikely
       that AZT therapy or immunoglobulin coating of red cells play major roles
       in red cell damage.
 DE    Adult  Antiviral Agents/THERAPEUTIC USE  Blood Proteins/METABOLISM
       Erythrocyte Membrane/CHEMISTRY/*PHYSIOLOGY/ULTRASTRUCTURE
       Erythrocytes/PHYSIOLOGY/ULTRASTRUCTURE  Female
       Glycophorin/METABOLISM/PHYSIOLOGY  Hemoglobins/ANALYSIS  Human  HIV
       Infections/*BLOOD/DRUG THERAPY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY  Male  Membrane
       Proteins/*METABOLISM  Middle Age  Spleen/PATHOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S.
       Gov't  Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

