Effect of La2+ on the form, aggregation, and fusion of human erythrocytes

By optical microscopy, it has been shown that the addition of La3+ ions induced transformation in the shape of erythrocytes, their aggregation and fusion. After addition of La3+ erythrocytes transform into stomatocytes. It was found that the red cell shape recovered to discoid after addition of EDTA. Neither transformation of shape nor aggregation or fusion of erythrocytes could be detected after their treatment with glutaraldehyde. A possible mechanism and significance of the shape transformation in aggregation of erythrocytes is discussed.