Human red blood cells: prostaglandin E2, epinephrine, and isoproterenol alter deformability.

The human red blood cell responds to prostaglandin E(2), epinephrine, and isoproterenol with a decrease in deformability. The maximum decrease is brought about by 10(-10)M prostaglandin E(2), 10(-9)M epinephrine, or 10(-7)M isoproterenol. The dose response curve is biphasic. The sensitivity of the red cell to prostaglandin suggests that this cell may be a primary target for prostaglandin action. These changes in response to vasoactive substances indicate that the red cell must be considered an active element in circulatory control.