Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2011
Systemic lupus erythematosus serum deposits C4d on red blood cells, decreases red blood cell membrane deformability, and promotes nitric oxide production.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by intravascular activation of the complement system and deposition of complement fragments (C3 and C4) on plasma membranes of circulating cells, including red blood cells (RBCs). The aim of this study was to address whether this process affects the biophysical properties of RBCs. ⋯ Our data suggest that complement activation in patients with SLE leads to calcium-dependent cytosketeletal changes in RBCs that render them less deformable, probably impairing their flow through capillaries. This phenomenon may negatively affect the delivery of oxygen to the tissues.