Band 3 Protein Function and Oxidative Stress in Erythrocytes from Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

A link between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) development has been already described, along with an oxidative stress-induced reduction of anion exchange capability through Band 3 protein. On this basis, blood from SSc patients has been collected to measure the rate constant for SO4= uptake, which is an index for anion exchange capability through Band 3 protein. This parameter was significantly reduced in SSc patients, with or without Interstitial Lung Disease, a complication of SSc. As a reduced Band 3 protein function was observed in SSc patients with either low or high levels of malonildialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipoperoxidation, anion exchange through erythrocytes membrane may be not univocally related to oxidative stress and, what is more, can be considered as a sensitive tool to monitor SSc development.