Human and mouse hemoglobin association with the transgenic mouse erythrocyte membrane

Transgenic mouse models of hemoglobinopathies unravel pathophysiological mechanisms; yet the validity of the red blood cell (RBC) model of human hemoglobin (hHb) enveloped by a mouse (m) membrane has been questioned. Isoelectric focusing of hHb and mHb from transgenic mRBC shows a greater association of mHb to the mouse membrane compared to normal hHbA, supporting a species-specific Hb-mRBC membrane interaction. Enhanced hmutant Hb (HbE, HbS and HbC)-mRBC membrane affinities correlates with enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation and parallel those reported in hRBC, lending support to transgenic mRBC as models of hemoglobinopathies. Species-specific Hb-membrane interaction may be overridden by Hb charge and conformational alterations.