SS RBCs adhere to the cell-binding domain of TSP in an IAP-dependent manner.

SS RBCs were allowed to flow over immobilized 4N1K (KRFYVVMWKK) and 4NGG (KRFYGGMWKK) peptides, and adherent cells were counted. Both 4N1K and 4NGG supported adhesion under flow. Pre-incubation of the SS RBCs with 1 μg/mL 1F7 blocked adhesion to 4NGG peptide, whereas 2 μg/mL 1F7 was required to block adhesion to 4N1K. A scrambled 4N1K peptide, 4N1KS (KMRVYFVWKK), failed to support the adhesion of SS RBCs. An isotype-matched control antibody had no effect on adhesion to either peptide. Separate experiments indicated that 4N1K and 4NGG adsorbed equally, and that 4N1KS absorbed slightly more, to the plastic flow chamber, as indicated in “Materials and methods.”