To better understand the vascular activity of hemoglobin-based (Hb-based) oxygen carriers,
the endothelial permeability characteristics of Hb derivatives having various molecular
masses were defined by using monolayers of bovine endothelial cells cultured on
microporous membranes. The endothelial permeability of unmodified bovine Hb was almost
twice that of bovine serum albumin. Intramolecularly cross-linked human Hb showed slightly
but significantly reduced permeability as compared with unmodified bovine Hb …