Derivation of HbSC mice and their hematological characteristics. (A-C) HPLC analysis on the peripheral blood of HbSC founder mouse along with HbAA (AA) and HbSS (SS) controls, showing expression of HbA (A), both HbS and HbC in the HbSC (SC) (B), and HbS (C). (D-I) Complete blood counts of blood from AA, SC, and SS mice, performed on the HT-5 hematology analyzer. Hb concentration (D), RBC counts (E), hematocrit (%) (F), MCHC (G), WBC counts (H), and platelets (I) are shown. (J) The percentage of reticulocytes was determined by flow cytometry on peripheral blood stained with thiazole orange. ARC (K) and CHCM_Retic (L) were analyzed using the reticulocyte channel using the ADVIA-2010 hematology analyzer. For panels D through L: each symbol represents an individual mouse, and bars represent mean ± standard error of the mean. Statistics were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). ∗P < .05; ∗∗P < .01; ∗∗∗P < .001; ∗∗∗∗P < .00001. (M) RBC half-life was determined by serial blood analysis by flow cytometry for the percentage of biotinylated RBCs remaining after an initial intravenous injection of N-hydroxysulfosuccinimidobiotin. Symbols represent mean ± standard error of the mean of 3 to 5 mice per group. ARC, absolute reticulocyte count; WBC, white blood cell.