Binding of autologous IgG to human red blood cells before and after ATP-depletion. Selective exposure of binding sites (autoantigens) on spectrin-free vesicles

Effects of Cell-Derived Microparticles on Immune Cells and Potential Implications in Clinical Medicine

In the past few years, interest has increased in cell-derived microparticles (MPs), which are defined by their size of from 0.1 to 1 μm, and can be derived from various cell types, including endothelial cells, leukocytes, red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets. These MPs carry negatively charged phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surfaces and proteins packaged from numerous cellular components. MPs that have been shed by the body can play important roles in the pathophysiology of diseases and can affect various biological systems. Among these systems, the immune components have been shown to be modulated by MPs. Therefore, understanding the roles of MPs in the immune system is crucial to developing alternative therapeutic treatments for diseases. This review describes the effects of MPs on various immune cells and provides plausible potential applications of the immune-modulating properties of MPs in clinical medicine.

Mechanisms tagging senescent red blood cells for clearance in healthy humans

This review focuses on the analysis and evaluation of the diverse senescence markers suggested to prime red blood cells (RBC) for clearance in humans. These tags develop in the course of biochemical and structural alterations accompanying RBC aging, as the decrease of activities of multiple enzymes, the gradual accumulation of oxidative damage, the loss of membrane in form of microvesicles, the redistribution of ions and alterations in cell volume, density, and deformability. The actual tags represent the penultimate galactosyl residues, revealed by desialylation of glycophorins, or the aggregates of the anion exchanger (band 3 protein) to which anti-galactose antibodies bind in the first and anti-band 3 naturally occurring antibodies (NAbs) in the second case. While anti-band 3 NAbs bind to the carbohydrate-free portion of band 3 aggregates in healthy humans, induced anti-lactoferrin antibodies bind to the carbohydrate-containing portion of band 3 and along with anti-band 3 NAbs may accelerated clearance of senescent RBC in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Exoplasmically accessible phosphatidylserine (PS) and the alterations in the interplay between CD47 on RBC and its receptor on macrophages, signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPalpha protein), were also reported to induce erythrocyte clearance. We discuss the relevance of each mechanism and analyze the strength of the data.

Naturally occurring anti-band 3 antibodies in clearance of senescent and oxidatively stressed human red blood cells

SUMMARY

Naturally occurring anti-band 3 antibodies (anti-band 3 NAbs) are directed against the 55-kDa chymotryptic fragment of the anion transport protein (band 3) of red blood cells (RBCs). They bind to senescent and oxidatively stressed RBCs and induce their selective clearance. These IgG NAbs exist at low concentrations, and have a weak affinity that prevents them from actively recruiting second binding sites. Cellular senescence or oxidative damage induces a cascade of biochemical events that results in the detachment of band 3 from the cytoskeleton and in clustering of band 3 protein by bound hemichromes and Syk kinase. Clustered band 3 proteins allow bivalent binding of anti-band 3 NAbs. Bivalently bound anti-band 3 NAbs have the unique capacity to stimulate C3b deposition by preferentially generating C3b2-IgG complexes, which act as potent C3 convertase precursors of the alternative complement pathway. Antibody binding not only to clustered, but also to oligomerized band 3 protein further increases if the human plasma also contains induced anti-lactoferrin antibodies. These bind to the polylactosaminyl oligosaccharide, a carbohydrate that exists in lactoferrin and in the 38-kDa fragment of band 3 protein. Anti-lactoferrin antibodies are found primarily in plasma of patients with autoimmune diseases and who have anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).

Naturally occurring autoantibodies in mediating clearance of senescent red blood cells

Germline-encoded naturally occurring autoantibodies (NAbs) developed about 400 to 450 million years ago to provide specificity for clearance ofbody waste in animals with 3 germ layers. Such NAbs became a necessity to selectively clear aged red blood cells (RBC) surviving 60 to 120 d in higher vertebrates. IgG NAbs to senescent RBC are directed to the most abundant integral membrane protein, the anion-transport protein or band 3 protein, but only bind firmly upon its oligomerization, which facilitates bivalent binding. The main constituent of RBC, the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, is susceptible to oxidative damage. Oxidized hemoglobin forms hemichromes (a form of aggregates) that bind to the cytoplasmic portion of band 3 protein, induces their clustering on the cytoplasmic, as well as the exoplasmic side and thereby provides the prerequisites for the low affinity IgG anti-band 3 NAbs to bind bivalently. Bound anti-band 3 NAbs overcome their low numbers per RBC by stimulating complement amplification. An affinity for C3 outside the antigen binding region is responsible for a preferential formation of C3b(2)-IgG complexes from anti-band 3 NAbs. These complexes first bind oligomeric properdin, which enhances their affinity for factor B in assembling an alternative C3 convertase.

Microparticles in stored red blood cells as potential mediators of transfusion complications

This article reviews evidence for the involvement of cell-derived microparticles (MPs) in transfusion-related adverse events. The controversy concerning possible added risk of older versus fresher stored blood is also reviewed and is consistent with the hypothesis that MPs are involved with adverse events. Although all types of circulating MPs are discussed, the emphasis is on red blood cell-derived MPs (RMPs). The evidence is particularly strong for involvement of RMPs in transfusion-related acute lung injury, but also for postoperative thrombosis. However, this evidence is largely circumstantial. Work in progress to directly test the hypothesis is also briefly reviewed.

RBC-derived vesicles during storage: ultrastructure, protein composition, oxidation, and signaling components

BACKGROUND

Red cells (RBCs) lose membrane in vivo, under certain conditions in vitro, and during the ex vivo storage of whole blood, by releasing vesicles. The vesiculation of the RBCs is a part of the storage lesion. The protein composition of the vesicles generated during storage of banked RBCs has not been studied in detail.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Vesicles were isolated from the plasma of nonleukoreduced RBC units in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine, at eight time points of the storage period and shortly afterward. The degree of vesiculation, ultrastructure, oxidation status, and protein composition of the vesicles were evaluated by means of electron microscopy and immunoblotting. RBCs and ghost membranes were investigated as controls.

RESULTS

The total protein content of the vesicle fraction and the size of the vesicles increased but their structural integrity decreased over time. The oxidation index of the vesicles released up to Day 21 of storage was greater than that of the membrane ghosts of the corresponding intact RBCs. The vesicles contain aggregated hemoglobin, band 3, and lipid raft proteins, including flotillins. They also contain Fas, FADD, procaspases 3 and 8, caspase 8 and caspase 3 cleavage products (after the 10th day), CD47 (after the 17th day), and immunoglobulin G.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that the vesicles released during storage of RBCs contain lipid raft proteins and oxidized or reactive signaling components commonly associated with the senescent RBCs. Vesiculation during storage of RBCs may enable the RBC to shed altered or harmful material.

Accelerated Binding of Autoantibody to Red Blood Cells with Increasing Anaemia in Cattle Experimentally Infected with Theileria sergenti

Anaemia is the most important clinical manifestation in cattle infected with Theileria sergenti. In order to determine the mechanism of red blood cells (RBC) destruction in anaemic cattle, we studied the binding of autoantibody (IgG) to RBC during the development of anaemia in T. sergenti infection. The low levels of IgG-bound RBC before the development of anaemia were triggered in proportion with the progression of anaemia and parasitaemia. Our results suggest an accelerated destruction of RBC in anaemic cattle by IgG-dependent phagocytosis.

Splenectomy prolongs in vivo survival of erythrocytes differently in spectrin/ankyrin- and band 3–deficient hereditary spherocytosis

Red cell (RBC) deformability and membrane-bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) were studied to better understand premature clearance of erythrocytes in hereditary spherocytosis. Averaged deformability profiles from cells having comparable cell age revealed that splenectomy was more beneficial for spectrin/ankyrin-deficient than for band 3–deficient RBCs. Splenectomy prevented an early loss of young cells in both types of deficiencies. It had an additional beneficial effect on spectrin/ankyrin-deficient but not band 3–deficient RBCs. It prolonged the survival of mature spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs such that they lost their deformability more slowly than RBCs from patients who had not undergone splenectomy. Band 3–deficient RBCs lost their deformability at the same rate before and after splenectomy. In HS patients with band 3 deficiency who underwent splenectomy, RBC deformability inversely correlated with the number of RBC-bound IgG (up to 140 molecules per cell). In spectrin/ankyrin deficiency, RBC-bound IgG remained at control levels (60 IgG or less per cell). It appears that spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs escaped opsonization by releasing band 3–containing vesicles because their band 3 content and deformability dropped in parallel with increasing cell age. Band 3–deficient RBCs did not lose band 3 with increasing cell age. Hence, it is possible that band 3 clusters required for bivalent binding of low-affinity–IgG, naturally occurring antibodies were retained in band 3–deficient RBCs with a relative excess of skeletal proteins but were released from spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs, in which vesicle budding was facilitated by an impaired skeleton.

Splenectomy prolongs in vivo survival of erythrocytes differently in spectrin/ankyrin- and band 3–deficient hereditary spherocytosis

Red cell (RBC) deformability and membrane-bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) were studied to better understand premature clearance of erythrocytes in hereditary spherocytosis. Averaged deformability profiles from cells having comparable cell age revealed that splenectomy was more beneficial for spectrin/ankyrin-deficient than for band 3–deficient RBCs. Splenectomy prevented an early loss of young cells in both types of deficiencies. It had an additional beneficial effect on spectrin/ankyrin-deficient but not band 3–deficient RBCs. It prolonged the survival of mature spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs such that they lost their deformability more slowly than RBCs from patients who had not undergone splenectomy. Band 3–deficient RBCs lost their deformability at the same rate before and after splenectomy. In HS patients with band 3 deficiency who underwent splenectomy, RBC deformability inversely correlated with the number of RBC-bound IgG (up to 140 molecules per cell). In spectrin/ankyrin deficiency, RBC-bound IgG remained at control levels (60 IgG or less per cell). It appears that spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs escaped opsonization by releasing band 3–containing vesicles because their band 3 content and deformability dropped in parallel with increasing cell age. Band 3–deficient RBCs did not lose band 3 with increasing cell age. Hence, it is possible that band 3 clusters required for bivalent binding of low-affinity–IgG, naturally occurring antibodies were retained in band 3–deficient RBCs with a relative excess of skeletal proteins but were released from spectrin/ankyrin-deficient RBCs, in which vesicle budding was facilitated by an impaired skeleton.

Flow cytometric analysis of band 3 protein of human erythrocytes

Flow cytometry was used to quantify the transmembrane anion exchanger (band 3 protein) of human erythrocytes by covalently bound eosin-5-maleimide. In vitro and in vivo vesiculated red blood cells were investigated. The fluorescence and light scatter signals of cells after heat induced vesiculation, in vivo ageing, and in patients with hereditary spherocytosis were decreased. These results reflect a deficiency of band 3 protein which is presumably caused by membrane surface area loss. It was possible to distinguish control erythrocytes, erythrocytes from patients with hereditary spherocytosis, and from other forms of haemolytic anaemias on the basis of their light scatter and fluorescence signals characteristics.

Band 3 and its peptides during aging, radiation exposure, and Alzheimer's disease: alterations and self-recognition

An aging antigen, senescent cell antigen, resides on the 911 amino acid membrane protein band 3. It marks cells for removal by initiating specific IgG autoantibody binding. Band 3 is a ubiquitous membrane transport protein found in the plasma membrane of diverse cell types and tissues, and in nuclear, mitochondrial, and golgi membranes. Band 3 in tissues such as brain performs the same functions as it does in red blood cells forming senescent cell antigen. Oxidation is a mechanism for generating senescent cell antigen. The aging antigenic sites reside on human band 3 map residues 538-554, and 812-830. Carbohydrate moieties are not required for the antigenicity or recognition of senescent cell antigen. Anion transport site were mapped to residues 588-594, 822-839, and 869-883. The aging vulnerable site which triggers the antigenic site and the transport sites of band 3 were mapped using overlapping synthetic peptides along the molecule. Naturally occurring autoantibodies to regions of band 3 comprising both senescent cell antigen and B cells producing these antibodies were demonstrated in the sera of normal, healthy individuals. The presence of these antibodies tend to increase with age. Individuals with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus) have increased antibodies to senescent cell antigen peptides. Radiation exposure results in an increase in antibodies to peptides 588-602 which lies in a transport region containing the aging vulnerable site. Band 3 ages as cells and tissues age. Our studies, to date, indicate, that the anion transport ability of band 3 decreases in brains and lymphocytes from old mice. This decreased transport ability precedes obvious structural changes such as band 3 degradation and generation of SCA, and is the earliest change thus far detected in band 3 function. Other changes include a decreased efficiency of anion transport (decreased Vmax) in spite of an increase in number of anion binding sites (increased Km), decreased glucose transport, increased phosphorylation, increased degradation to smaller fragments as detected by quantitative binding of antibodies to band 3 breakdown products and residue 812-830, and binding of physiologic IgG autoantibodies in situ. The latter 3 findings indicate that post-translational changes occur. In Alzheimer's Disease (AD), our results indicate that post-translational changes occur in band 3. These include decreased band 3 phosphorylation of a 25-28kD segment, increased degradation of band 3, alterations in band 3 recognized by antibodies, and decreased anion and glucose transport by blood cells. Serum autoantibodies were increased in AD patients compared to controls to band 3 peptide 822-839. This band 3 residue lies in an anion transport/binding region.

Red blood cell phagocytosis following hexokinase inactivation

Hexokinase inactivating antibodies were loaded into human erythrocytes using an encapsulation procedure based on hypotonic haemolysis, isotonic resealing and reannealing. Red blood cells loaded with anti-hexokinase IgG showed 20 percent residual hexokinase activity and reduced glycolytic activity. Incubation of these cells in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as terbutyl hydroperoxide (TBH) and then in autologous plasma, promoted opsonization by autologous IgG and complement deposition, but not haemolysis. Furthermore, the antihexokinase IgG loaded cells treated with TBH were actively recognized and phagocytosed by macrophages. Thus, metabolic impairment of human erythrocytes promotes autologous IgG binding, C3 deposition and phagocytosis, a mechanism already reported for the removal of senescent erythrocytes.

Molecular mapping of human band 3 aging antigenic sites and active amino acids using synthetic peptides

An aging antigen, senescent cell antigen appears on old cells and marks them for death by initiating the binding of IgG autoantibody and subsequent removal by phagocytes. This antigen is derived from the major anion transport protein, protein band 3, that is involved in respiration and acid base balance. We use synthetic peptides from the transmembrane, anion transport segment of band 3 to "walk" band 3 to identify potential aging antigenic sites. A competitive inhibition assay with affinity purified IgG autoantibody from senescent red cells was used. Results indicate that: aging antigenic sites reside on human band 3 residues 538-554, 593-601, and 812-830; and that the smallest residues which act as aging antigenic sites are 593-601 and 813-818. The contribution of lysine and/or arginine to antigenicity is examined by synthesizing peptide analogs in which glycines or arginines are substituted for lysines or arginines. Substitution of neutral glycine for the positively charged amino acids arginine or lysine or both arginine and lysine did not result in a significant difference in antigenicity between the analog and the native band 3 peptide. Substitution of the positively charged arginine for the positively charged lysine resulted in a significant reduction in antigenicity. The chicken sequence of band 3 peptides 538-554 and 812-827 differs from that of the human peptides at several sites. Antigenicity of these chicken "analogs" were tested and compared to the human peptides. The data suggest that the three-dimensional configuration of band 3 segments plays a dominant role in defining the antigenic determinants reactive with senescent cell IgG autoantibodies.

Evidence for membrane protein oxidation during in vivo aging of human erythrocytes

Oxidative lesions to membrane proteins were studied in human erythrocytes of different age and were evaluated on ghost membrane preparations by assaying thiol and methionine sulphoxide groups, and in situ on intact cells, after treating erythrocytes with the fluorochrome N-(7-dimethyl-amino-4-methyl-coumarinyl) maleimide (DACM). DACM reacts with thiol groups and the amount of this reagent bound by membrane proteins was quantified after SDS-PAGE separation. Results obtained show that during aging of normal cells the oxidative state of membrane proteins increases: this was better shown by the assay of methionine sulphoxide residues rather than by the thiol titration, when studies were carried out on ghost membranes. After separation of individual membrane proteins by SDS-PAGE, decreased accessibility of DACM to thiol groups of band 3 and of the main proteins of the membrane skeleton was evident in senescent erythrocytes. These results show that during aging, band 3 and membrane skeleton proteins undergo conformational changes and/or oxidation. Similar results were obtained when thiol distribution was studied in membrane proteins separated by SDS-PAGE in both reducing and non-reducing conditions.

Definition of a physiologic aging autoantigen by using synthetic peptides of membrane protein band 3: localization of the active antigenic sites

Senescent cell antigen (SCA), an aging antigen, is a protein that appears on old cells and marks them for removal by the immune system in mammals. It is derived from band 3, a ubiquitous membrane transport protein found in diverse cell types and tissues. We have used synthetic peptides to identify aging antigenic sites on band 3, using a competitive inhibition assay and immunoblotting with IgG directed against the aging antigen on old cells. Results indicate that: (i) the active antigenic sites of the aging antigen reside on membrane protein band 3 residues that are extracellular regions implicated in anion transport (residues 538-554 and 788-827); (ii) a putative ankyrin-binding-region peptide is not involved in SCA activity; and (iii) carbohydrate moieties are not required for the antigenicity or recognition of SCA because synthetic peptides alone abolish binding of senescent cell IgG to erythrocytes. One of the putative transport sites that contributes to the aging antigen is located toward the carboxyl terminus. A model of band 3 is presented. Localization of the active antigenic site on the band 3 molecule facilitates definition of the molecular changes occurring during aging that initiate molecular as well as cellular degeneration.

Possible autoantibody binding to sickle erythrocytes

Excessive binding of possible autoantibodies to discrete subpopulations of circulating sickle erythrocytes has been documented. However, the mechanism by which putative autoantibody binding sites selectively develop on sickle cells is unknown. In the present study, autologous IgG binding has been quantified for low density sickle erythrocytes subjected to prolonged morphologic sickling under nitrogen in the absence of plasma (24 hours, 37 degrees C), and to reoxygenation with subsequent incubations in varying dilutions of autologous plasma. Cell-bound IgG was measured using a nonequilibrium 125-iodinated protein-A-binding assay. Binding isotherms show that IgG binding was both concentration dependent and saturable. Sickle cells pretreated by deoxygenation exhibited approximately 2-fold increased saturation binding of autologous IgG as compared with oxygenated paired samples, suggesting that new autoantibody binding sites may have developed during prolonged sickling. Autologous IgG binding to sickle cells pretreated by deoxygenation was also inhibited 2-fold more by limiting quantities of deoxygenated autologous cells, as compared with inhibition by oxygenated sickle erythrocytes used for serum absorption. These findings indicate that the sickling-associated increase in IgG binding may represent an increase in specific autoantibody binding sites, and suggests that autoantibody binding sites are produced by permanent sickling-associated remodeling of the red cell surface.

Immunochemical characterization of interactions between circulating autologous immunoglobulin G and normal human erythrocyte membrane proteins

Autologous immunoglobulin G present during electrophoresis of human erythrocyte membrane proteins influenced the electrophoretic mobility of some of the proteins. Different types of non-ionic detergents were used for solubilization of the membranes and together with experiments using dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine-derived erythrocyte membrane vesicles this indicated that IgG binds to spectrin, ankyrin, and band 3 protein. The binding was independent on proteolysis and not due to unspecific protein-protein interactions. Immunoblotting experiments also showed binding to polypeptide bands in the spectrin and ankyrin regions and demonstrated the presence of erythrocyte-associated IgG. The reactivity may be due to natural autoantibodies involved in the clearance of cellular debris in vivo. Whether the observations are of relevance for the putative immune-mediated clearance of old erythrocytes from the circulation remains to be established.

Sickling-induced binding of autologous IgG to erythrocytes heterozygous for sickle hemoglobin

This study reports that sickling-induced increased autoantibody binding can be demonstrated in varying degrees for deoxygenated S/beta-thalassemic (2-fold) and hemoglobin-SC (1.2-fold) erythrocytes as compared with oxygenated paired samples. In contrast, HbAS erythrocytes deoxygenated in autologous plasma exhibited less than 2% morphologic sickling and no increased IgG binding as compared with control samples. Sickling in the presence or absence of plasma increased the IgG binding capacity of S/beta-thalassemic erythrocytes, comparable to previous findings for HbSS erythrocytes, while increased IgG binding to HbSC erythrocytes was detected only after deoxygenation in plasma. It is concluded that specific IgG binding to deoxygenated S/beta-thalassemic RBCs results from subtle permanent sickling-induced alterations of the membrane surface, while IgG binding to HbSC erythrocytes sickled in plasma results from transitory membrane changes. These findings suggest that sickling in vivo will produce cumulative autoantibody binding to S/beta-thalassemic erythrocytes, a process which could lead to immune-mediated erythrocyte destruction. In contrast, comparatively small fractions of the autoantibody bound to HbSC erythrocytes in vivo would result from sickling-induced membrane alterations. These studies indicate that sickling-associated autoantibody binding in vivo will not occur for sickle cell trait (HbAS) erythrocytes protected by plasma.

Modulation of red cell vesiculation by protease inhibitors

Release of vesicles from human red cell membranes was induced either by ATP-depletion or by incubation of the cells in presence of sonicated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles. Vesicles released from ATP-depleted red cells but not the DMPC-induced vesicles contained degradation products of band 3 protein. Furthermore, in ATP-depleted erythrocytes proteolytic breakdown products could be demonstrated that were not detected in cells incubated with DMPC. Proteolysis was neither significantly affected by the protease inhibitor N-alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) nor by other protease inhibitors tested in this study (diisopropylfluorophosphate, N-ethylmaleimide and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride). Both vesiculation processes were inhibited in a concentration dependent way by TLCK while other protease inhibitors did not significantly influence membrane vesiculation. Phase contrast microscopy showed that TLCK diminished the DMPC-induced formation of echinocytes which is known to precede vesicle release. These results suggest that the influence of TLCK on membrane vesiculation is not primarily due to inhibition of proteolysis but to a direct interaction of the inhibitor with the intrinsic domain of the erythrocyte membrane.

Naturally occurring anti-band-3 antibodies and complement together mediate phagocytosis of oxidatively stressed human erythrocytes

Treatment of erythrocytes with the thiol-specific oxidant azodicarboxylic acid bis(dimethylamide) (diamide) enhances their phagocytosis by adherent monocytes. Phagocytosis of diamide-treated erythrocytes required that the cells were opsonized with whole serum, since complement inactivation abolished phagocytosis. Opsonization with whole serum containing 20-100 times the physiological concentration of naturally occurring anti-band-3 antibodies enhanced phagocytosis of diamide-treated erythrocytes. High inputs of anti-band-3 also restored phagocytosis of erythrocytes that had been incubated with complement-inactivated serum. Elevated concentrations of anti-spectrin antibodies were ineffective in whole and complement-inactivated serum. Specific recognition of diamide-treated erythrocytes by anti-band-3 antibodies may be due to generation of anti-band-3 reactive protein oligomers on intact diamide-treated erythrocytes. Generation of such oligomers was dose-dependent with respect to diamide. Bound anti-band-3 alone was not sufficient to mediate phagocytosis. It resulted in deposition of complement component C3b on the cells through activation of the alternative complement pathway in amounts exceeding that of bound antibodies by two orders of magnitude. Thus, anti-band-3 and complement together mediate phagocytosis of oxidatively stressed erythrocytes, which stimulate senescent erythrocytes with respect to bound antibody and complement.

Expression of senescent antigen on erythrocytes infected with a knobby variant of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Erythrocytes infected with a knobby variant of Plasmodium falciparum selectively bind IgG autoantibodies in normal human serum. Quantification of membrane-bound IgG, by use of 125I-labeled protein A, revealed that erythrocytes infected with the knobby variant bound 30 times more protein A than did noninfected erythrocytes; infection with a knobless variant resulted in less than a 2-fold difference compared with noninfected erythrocytes. IgG binding to knobby erythrocytes appeared to be related to parasite development, since binding of 125I-labeled protein A to cells bearing young trophozoites (less than 20 hr after parasite invasion) was similar to binding to uninfected erythrocytes. By immunoelectron microscopy, the membrane-bound IgG on erythrocytes infected with the knobby variant was found to be preferentially associated with the protuberances (knobs) of the plasma membrane. The removal of aged or senescent erythrocytes from the peripheral circulation is reported to involve the binding of specific antibodies to an antigen (senescent antigen) related to the major erythrocyte membrane protein band 3. Since affinity-purified autoantibodies against band 3 specifically bound to the plasma membrane of erythrocytes infected with the knobby variant of P. falciparum, it is clear that the malaria parasite induces expression of senescent antigen.

Cell surface alterations during blood-storage characterized by artificial aggregation of washed red blood cells

Aggregation measurement of washed human erythrocytes (RBC) were carried out in a NaCl-PBS solution under laminar shear conditions. Artificial aggregation of fresh and stored erythrocytes was caused by decreased pH and reduced ionic strength and characterized by collision efficiency alpha. Generally, the collision efficiency alpha of stored erythrocytes rises with the increased storage time. Such an aggregation technique might be useful to detect and quantify changes of the membrane and/or the surface structure due to aging and/or storage.

Regulatory properties of human erythrocyte hexokinase during cell ageing

Human red blood cell hexokinase exists in multiple molecular forms with different isoelectric points but similar kinetic and regulatory properties. All three major isoenzymes (HK Ia, Ib, and Ic) are inhibited competitively with respect to Mg.ATP by glucose 6-phosphate (Ki = 15 microM), glucose 1,6-diphosphate (Ki - 22 microM), 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (Ki = 4 mM), ATP (Ki = 1.5 mM), and reduced glutathione (Ki = 3 mM). All these compounds are present in the human erythrocyte at concentrations able to modify the hexokinase reaction velocity. However, the oxygenation state of hemoglobin significantly modifies their free concentrations and the formation of the Mg complexes. The calculated rate of glucose phosphorylation, in the presence of the mentioned compounds, is practically identical to the measured rate of glucose utilization by intact erythrocytes (1.43 +/- 0.15 mumol h-1 ml red blood cells-1). Hexokinase in young red blood cells is fivefold higher when compared with the old ones, but the concentration of many inhibitors of the enzyme is also cell age-dependent. Glucose 6-phosphate, glucose 1,6-diphosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, ATP, and Mg all decay during cell ageing but at different rates. The free concentrations and the hemoglobin and Mg complexes of both ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate with hemoglobin in the oxy and deoxy forms have been calculated. This information was utilized in the calculation of glucose phosphorylation rate during cell ageing. The results obtained agree with the measured glycolytic rates and suggest that the decay of hexokinase during cell ageing could play a critical role in the process of cell senescence and destruction.

Studies on the mechanism of human red cell loss of viability during storage at +4 degrees C in vitro. I. Cell shape and total adenylate concentration as determinant factors for posttransfusion survival

Red cells stored in SAGM medium for 42 days at +4 degrees C were rejuvenated by bicarbonate, pyruvate and adenosine. Autologous 24-hour posttransfusion survival was determined in untreated as well as rejuvenated cells and showed an improvement from 77.4 +/- 4.7 to 89.2 +/- 7.2%. The erythrocyte adenylate energy charge decreased relatively more than the total adenylate concentration during storage, but the latter correlated better with posttransfusion red cell survival. Considerable deteriorations in red cell morphology (expressed as morphology index) and in deformability (measured as red cell fluidity) were observed during storage but were partly reversed by rejuvenation. The morphology index and the posttransfusion survival showed a significant correlation (r = 0.95, p less than 0.005) after, but not before, rejuvenation, indicating that the remaining changes are more permanent and decisive of survival. It is suggested that, in the proportion of stored erythrocytes which respond to rejuvenation, the capacity and time dependence of recovery of normal shape and flexibility are important.

The role of hemoglobin denaturation and band 3 clustering in red blood cell aging

As hemoglobin begins to denature, it forms hemichromes that cross-link the major erythrocyte membrane-spanning protein, band 3, into clusters. These clusters provide the recognition site for antibodies directed against senescent cells. These antibodies bind to the aged red cell and trigger its removal from circulation.