Cell membrane Agglutination

Some types of virus can attach cells with the aid of cell membrane bound acylneuraminic adds. Red blood cells are agglutinated by myxovirus, which include a number of types that are pathogenic for animals or for man, e.g. 

A mechanical device for the continuous purification of biological material using an immunoadsorbent has been described.The use of immobilized lectins in affinity chromatography has been discussed,and the purification of cell-membrane glycoproteins on columns of immobilized lectins reviewed. New teehniques of cell fractionation involving use of immobilized lectins or selective agglutination with leetins have been described. ... 

A lectin, isolated from the seeds of Amphicarpaea bracteata by affinity chromatography on 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose coupled to epoxy-activated agarose, has been shown to have characteristics common with Dolichos biflorus lectin, especially in relation to the agglutination of human Ai erythrocytes. It is assumed that the lectin interacts with non-reducing terminal 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactosyl residues on the red cell membrane of these erythrocytes. 

It is visualized that Golgi vesicle membranes which are incorporated into the cell membrane would introduce foci of highly antigenic sites spatially separated from each other. Such a picture fits in with antigenic sites on cells in culture and their agglutination with plant lectins (Shohan and Sachs, 1972), a subject of current interest. 

It appears from the above findings that polycations interact with RBC to give rise to two more or less related phenomena, namely agglutination and hemolysis, the latter showing that the RBC cell membrane integrity is very much perturbed, in agreement with the occasional observation of ghosts. 

Many aspects of the social behavior of cells are determined by the composition, arrangement, and interaction of cell-surface molecules. Therefore, changes in the composition and structure of plasma membranes appear to contribute to differences in such characteristics as cell adhesion, contact inhibition, and tumorogenicity of cells. Cell-surface glycoproteins, in particular, participate in a number of membrane-modulated phenomena, including responsiveness to hormones, agglutination by lectins, recognition by antibodies, or uptake of nutri-... 

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