Adhesion of human erythrocytes to glass: The nature of the interaction and the effect of serum and plasma

Studies of normal human erythrocyte adhesiveness to glass have demonstrated quantitative and qualitative differences between cell‐glass and cell‐cell contact interaction. Identifiable charged groups on the red cell surface were of minor importance in the adhesive process and it is postulated that direct cell‐glass contact attraction involves nonpolar regions of the red cell surface. However, erythrocyte adhesion to glass in the presence of serum and plasma is affected by electrostatic forces. At least two critical factors are present in serum and plasma: a heat‐stable factor(s) diminishing adhesion and a heat‐labile factor(s) promoting cell‐glass interaction. A postulate is presented concerning the role of soluble fibrin monomer complexes in promoting cell adhesion to glass.