Erythrocyte deformability in a group of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) subjects. Preliminary analysis

M. Carlisi, S. Mancuso, R. Lo Presti, M. Pio La Manna, V.Orlando, S. Siragusa, G. Caimi

Abstract: Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is a benign plasma cell disorder characterized by the presence of monoclonal paraprotein (M-protein) in serum or urine. It is observed in 3% of subjects aged over 50 and in more than 5% of individuals older than 70 years and it is not related to any symptoms. Abnormal erythrocyte deformability has been described in MGUS subjects, but the causes are not yet known. We conducted a prospective population-based study to evaluate the erythrocyte deformability in MGUS subjects and the possible causes of this hemorheological pattern in RBCs. We collected data from 15 MGUS cases and we performed flow cytometry analysis on peripheral blood samples. In MGUS subjects we found a significantly reduction of erythrocyte deformability at all shear stresses but in any cases, we observed the presence of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones. The obtained data confirm the decrease in erythrocyte deformability in MGUS subjects, previously described, but do not show the presence of an erythrocyte PNH clone as a possible cause.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.35 No.1 (2021),45-50

Keywords: erythrocyte deformability; flow cytometry; hemorheology; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS); Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones

Date published: 2021-04-04