Hemolysis of human erythrocyte induced by a rapid temperature jump.

When an isotonic suspension of human erythrocytes was subjected to a rapid temperature jump (heating time of 2 mus), the following phenomena were observed. Although a jump of 0.05 degrees caused no visible damage to the cell membranes, it facilitated the permeation of [3H]glucose into the cells. A jump of 0.5 degrees induced a hemolysis of the cells. The hemolysis was accompanied by extensive alterations of membrane morphology possibly caused by ruptures of the membranes. Turbidity changes of the suspension after the temperature jump were consistent with a swelling of erythrocytes followed by a shrinking of the swollen cells. The phenomena of the water transport and the hemolysis induced by the temperature jump may be understood by the theory of thermal osmosis (Spanner, D. C. (1954) Symp. Soc. Exp. Biol. 8, 76). Slow heating of the suspension shows no such effects. Thermal osmosis may be an important factor in the water transport and bioenergetics of the living cells.