Regulation of erythrocyte cation and water content in sickle cell anemia.

The pathophysiological events in sickle cell disease are critically dependent on the intracellular concentration of hemoglobin S, which varies inversely with cell cation and water content. Erythrocytes of SS homozygotes exposed to oxygen or carbon monoxide decrease their potassium and water content through a pathway for potassium transport that is activated by both cell swelling and decrease in internal pH. This pathway is not inhibited by ouabain either with or without bumetanide. When SS erythrocytes were separated according to density, the pH- and volume-dependent potassium transport was greatest in the least dense fraction and was reduced in the densest cells. This pathway, which does not depend on polymerization of sickle hemoglobin, may be important in regulating the cation and water content of SS erythrocytes.