In vitro production of PNH-like red blood cells by 2-mercaptopropionylglycine.

2-Mercaptopropionylglycine (2-MPG) transformed normal red blood cells (RBCs) into paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)-like RBCs in vitro, depending on the concentration, pH and time of incubation. The incorporation of radioactive choline in the presence of acetylcholine was reduced, as in RBCs treated with aminoethylisothiouronium salt (AET). In contrast, the uptake in the presence of choline differed when the RBCs were incubated with the two compounds, being reduced in AET-treated RBCs and increased in 2-MPG-treated ones. As true PNH RBCs incorporated to a higher extent the radioactivity in the presence of both acetylcholine and choline, 2-MPG-treated RBCs seemed to resemble the PNH RBCs better than the AET-treated ones. Present results suggest the possibility of modifying selectively the activity of acetylcholinesterase and the transport of choline through the cell membrane.