Lysis of Erythrocytes by Phosphatidyicholine Containing Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid

Abstract

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes induced lysis of erythrocytes from various animals. Hemolysis of human erythrocytes occurred only above 37°C. The incorporation of cholesterol and dicetylphosphate into liposomes did not affect the hemolytic activity of the phosphatidyicholine liposomes. Hemolysis was inhibited by EDTA and serum albumin. Liposomes prepared from rat liver phosphatidylcholine or those from synthetic dilinoleoylglycerophosphocholine are also hemolytic to human erythrocytes, whereas dimyristoyl- and dioleoylglycerophosphocholines are not. These findings indicate that the polyunsaturated fatty acid residues might be very important for the hemolytic activity of these phosphatidylcholine liposomes.