Acute HE significantly depresses autophagy by down-regulated beclin-1, Atg-1, LC3-II, Atg-12, LAMP-2, and AO expressions and simultaneously promotes apoptosis by increased phspho-Bcl-2, activated caspase-9 and -3 levels and PS exposure in CD4 lymphocytes. This evidence concerns the gene ATG12 and hereditary elliptocytosis.