The band 3 molecule is an anion channel for bicarbonate in the erythrocyteââ¬â¢s membrane that assumes a different role in senescent erythrocytes where it adopts a cluster configuration. These band 3 clusters expose previously hidden antigenic adhesive peptides which are recognized by natural band 3 antibodies that label their erythrocytes for reticuloendothelial elimination and prevent their endothelial adhesion. The sickle erythrocyteââ¬â¢s abnormal hemoglobin molecules cause them to experience premature senescence resulting in increased numbers of clusters, a portion of which remain uncloaked by antibodies and adhere to the vascular endothelium. The uncloaked clusters result from a deficiency of band 3 antibodies that are present in sickle cell anemia. The hypothesis presented is that the band 3 antibodies are insufficient in number to cloak all of the adhesive peptides present on cluster+ sickle erythrocytes and this is responsible for a portion of their adhesive pathology.
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Last date updated on September, 2024