Dynamics of oscillating erythrocyte doublets after electrofusion.

Erythrocytes were electrofused with multiple rectangular voltage pulses to show an oscillatory movement, divided into swell phases and pump events. During each swell phase, which lasted from 0.5 s to more than 180 s, the fused cells' (doublets') volume increased by colloid osmotic swelling, and the membrane area was expanded until rupture. Membrane rupture initiated the pump event, where the doublets' volume and membrane area decreased with an almost exponential time course and time constants between 2 ms and 8 ms. Simultaneously, a portion of cytosolic hemoglobin solution was ejected into extracellular space ("jet"). Pump event time constants and swell phase durations decreased with rising chamber temperature, indicating that both parts of the oscillatory movements were determined by physical properties of membrane and liquids. Relative volume change developments express a gradual loss of membrane elasticity during the oscillation, decreasing the elastic forces stored in the membrane. Evidence is given that the first rupture causes a weakening of the membrane at the rupture site. Heat treatment up to 45 degrees C had a negligible effect on swell times, pump time constants, and relative volume changes. A heat treatment of 50 degrees C prevented oscillatory movements. The rupture location accorded with theories of potential induced membrane electropermeabilization.