Fragility and structure of hemoglobin S fibers and gels and their consequences for gelation kinetics and rheology

Pathogenesis in sickle cell disease depends on whether red blood cells can pass the microvasculature during the delay time before hemoglobin S gelation and cell rigidification occur. Here we observe individual hemoglobin S fibers by differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and show that hemoglobin S gels and fibers are fragile and easily broken by mechanical perturbation, and that breakage results in vast acceleration of gelation kinetics due to the creation of new, growing fiber-ends. Hence, in vivo this may be an important factor, in addition to hemoglobin concentration and degree of deoxygenation, that governs delay time and pathogenesis. Pathogenesis also depends on gel rheology and cell rigidification, which depend on fiber cross-linking. We show different mechanisms by which X-shaped, Y-shaped, and “zippering” cross-links form. Finally, we estimate the “on” rate constant for fiber growth to be about 200 mmol/(L.s) and obtain a value for the heterogeneous nucleation rate at 13.5 mmol/L heme.