Effect of pH on red blood cell deformability

The effect of pH on the red blood cell (RBC) deformability, which is a cons equence of a change of cell membrane elastic properties is studied experime ntally. With the intention to reduce the effects on deformability of cell g eometry and cytoplasmic viscosity, we measured the deformability of the cel ls with the same volume at various pH of cell suspension from 6.2 to 8.0. C onstant cell volume was achieved by varying osmolarity. Deformability was q uantified by measuring the elongation of RBCs subjected to velocity gradien t in a transparent cone-plate rheoscope. Observed significant decrease of d eformability at lower pH leads to the conclusion that: membrane elastic pro perties could be affected by pH changes in the range from 6.2 to 8.0.