Clearance of oxidized erythrocytes by macrophages: Involvement of caspases in the generation of clearance signal at band 3 glycoprotein

The Macrophage Iron Signature in Health and Disease

Throughout life, macrophages are located in every tissue of the body, where their main roles are to phagocytose cellular debris and recycle aging red blood cells. In the tissue niche, they promote homeostasis through trophic, regulatory, and repair functions by responding to internal and external stimuli. This in turn polarizes macrophages into a broad spectrum of functional activation states, also reflected in their iron-regulated gene profile. The fast adaptation to the environment in which they are located helps to maintain tissue homeostasis under physiological conditions.

Role of Extrinsic Apoptotic Signaling Pathway during Definitive Erythropoiesis in Normal Patients and in Patients with β-Thalassemia

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death which has an important role in tissue homeostasis and in the control of organism development. Here, we focus on information concerning the role of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in the control of human erythropoiesis. We discuss the role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 6 (FasL), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing (TRAIL) and caspases in normal erythroid maturation. We also attempt to initiate a discussion on the observations that mature erythrocytes contain most components of the receptor-dependent apoptotic pathway. Finally, we point to the role of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in ineffective erythropoiesis of different types of β-thalassemia.

Protein kinase C mediates caspase 3 activation: A role for erythrocyte morphology changes

We have previously showed that morphological alterations in Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are correlated to an impaired eNOS enzymatic activity and a concomitant reduced NO derived metabolites formation. Here we extend our previous observations, reporting that RBC morphology is regulated by a series of specific cell signaling events linked to Protein Kinase C (PKC)-mediated activation of caspase 3. Pretreatment of RBCs with the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, prior to the addition of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), an activator of PKC, blocks the appearance of the morphology alterations and the sustained decrease in nitrates and nitrites levels induced by PMA. Inhibition of PKC also completely inhibits PMA mediated caspase-3 activation. On the other hand, caspase 3 inhibition, lessens the PMA induced-effects on the appearance of RBC morphology alterations, although it enhances PMA-mediated effects on nitric oxide (NO) derived metabolites levels. These data demonstrate that PKC-mediated activation of caspase 3 is an integral and essential part of signaling pathway in RBCs, that may be a regulatory factor of RBC mechanical properties, through regulation of NO metabolism.

Nucleolin is a receptor for maleylated-bovine serum albumin on macrophages

Scavenger receptors have a broad range of functions that include pathogen clearance, and identification of the scavenger receptor family has been of great benefit to the field of physiology. The shuttling-protein nucleolin has recently been shown to possess scavenger receptor-like activity. We therefore investigated whether or not nucleolin is a receptor for maleylated-bovine serum albumin (maleylated-BSA), which is a common ligand for scavenger receptors. Binding and phagocytosis of native control-BSA by thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages was weak, but that of maleylated-BSA was strong. Surface plasmon-resonance analysis revealed that nucleolin strongly associated with maleylated-BSA but not control-BSA or maleic anhydride. Further, co-treatment of macrophages with anti-nucleolin antibody, but not control-immunoglobulin G, inhibited binding of maleylated-BSA. In addition, antineoplastic guanine rich oligonucleotide (AGRO), a nucleolin-specific oligonucleotide aptamer, inhibited binding of maleylated-BSA. Further, binding of maleylated-BSA to nucleolin-transfected HEK293 cells was higher than that by control HEK cells. These results indicate that nucleolin is a receptor that enables macrophages to recognize maleylated-BSA.

Erythrocyte caspase-3 activation and oxidative imbalance in erythrocytes and in plasma of type 2 diabetic patients

An increased oxidative stress and a decreased life span of erythrocytes (RBCs) are reported in patients with diabetes. Aim of this study was to assess in RBCs from patients with type 2 diabetes whether downstream effector mechanisms of apoptosis, such as activation of caspase-3, is operative, and whether an iron-related oxidative imbalance, occurring inside RBCs and in plasma, could be involved in caspase-3 activation. In 26 patients with type 2 diabetes and in 12 healthy subjects, oxidative stress was evaluated by means of different markers; non-protein-bound iron, methemoglobin and glutathione were determined in RBCs, and non-protein-bound iron was also determined in plasma. Erythrocyte caspase-3 activation was evaluated by an immunosorbent enzyme assay. Arterial hypertension, demographic and standard biochemical data were also evaluated. The results show, for the first time, that type 2 diabetic RBCs put into motion caspase-3 activation, which is significantly higher than in control RBCs. Such an effector mechanism of "eryptosis" was positively correlated to blood glucose levels and to the increased plasma NPBI level. Caspase-3 activation was also positively correlated to occurrence of arterial hypertension. The results suggest that an extracellular oxidative milieu can be responsible for erythrocyte caspase-3 activation in patients with type 2 diabetes. In turn, caspase-3 activation can be envisaged as a novel mechanism which, by impairing the maintenance of erythrocyte shape and function, might contribute to the shortened life span of RBCs from patients with type 2 diabetes and to hemorheological disorders observed in these patients.

Macrophage recognition of cells with elevated calcium is mediated by carbohydrate chains of CD43

Macrophages remove deteriorating cells (those undergoing apoptosis and oxidation) via poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains on CD43 caps, a major cell-surface glycoprotein. Unusually high intracellular calcium levels are also deteriorating for cells and tissue. Here we artificially elevated calcium levels in cells and examined the mechanism by which this elevation was resolved by macrophages. Results showed that treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 and ionomycin induces capping of CD43 on Jurkat cells, which are subsequently recognized and phagocytosed by macrophages, indicating that macrophages regard cells with elevated calcium as targets for removal. Further tests showed that A23187- and ionomycin-treated Jurkat cells did not induce apoptotic changes such as DNA fragmentation or phosphatidylserine expression, indicating that these cells were removed despite still being viable. Jurkat cells pretreated with anti-CD43 antibody or those with poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains containing oligosaccharides inhibited macrophage binding, indicating that macrophages recognize the poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains on CD43. Binding was also inhibited by treating macrophages with anti-nucleolin antibody, indicating that recognition occurs through nucleolin, a cell-surface receptor. Further, nucleolin-transfected HEK293 cells bound A23187-treated cells, and this binding was inhibited by in the presence of oligosaccharides. Taken together, these results show that elevated calcium levels induce CD43 capping, and macrophages remove the cells if their nucleolin receptors can bind to the poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains of capped CD43.

Oxidative stress and caspase-mediated fragmentation of cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte band 3 during blood storage

BACKGROUND

During blood bank storage, red blood cells (RBCs) undergo a number of biological and biochemical alterations collectively referred to as "storage lesions". These injuries include loss and oxidative cross-linking of band 3, the major integral protein of RBC membranes. Denaturation of hemoglobin (Hb) and damage to the amino-terminal of band 3 are recognised as the starting events for immunological recognition mechanisms and phagocytic removal of senescent or impaired RBCs from circulation. Consequently, studies focusing on the Hb-association and oxidative status of the cytoskeleton of stored RBCs intended for transfusion are of extreme interest. In this work, two storage-related fragments of band 3 were documented and biochemically characterised.

METHODS

Four RBC units were collected from normal volunteers and stored for 21 days under (i) standard blood bank conditions, (ii) anaerobic conditions, or (iii) in the presence of caspase 3-inhibitor. Degradation products of band 3 were followed by sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis coupled with western blot and mass spectrometry analyses.

RESULTS

Two different degradation products of the cytoplasmic domain of the erythrocyte band 3 (CDB3) were detected in RBC membranes during storage in saline-adenine-glucosemannitol (SAGM) preservation medium. One of these fragments showed an apparent molecular weight of 34 kDa and was demonstrated to be the product of a free-radical attack on the protein main chain, whereas another fragment of 24 kDa was the result of a caspase 3-mediated cleavage.

DISCUSSION

Although to different extent, anaerobic conditions reduced the formation of both truncated products indicating an enhanced activity of the pro-apoptotic caspase 3 enzyme following oxidative stress. Interestingly, both CDB3 fragments were tightly associated to the erythrocyte membrane supporting the involvement of Cys-201 and/or Cys-317 in clustering different band 3 monomers.

Macrophage recognition of thiol-group oxidized cells: recognition of carbohydrate chains by macrophage surface nucleolin as apoptotic cells

The mechanism was investigated for macrophage recognition of cells oxidized by diamide, a thiol group-specific oxidizing reagent. Jurkat cells exposed to various concentrations of diamide were recognized by macrophages, the cells exposed to 25 µM diamide being best recognized. CD43, a major glycoprotein on the Jurkat cell surface, tended to form clusters upon diamide oxidization, and pretreating Jurkat cells with the anti-CD43 antibody inhibited macrophage binding. This indicates that macrophages appeared to recognize CD43. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a Western blot analysis of CD43 of the diamide-oxidized cells showed no increase in the amount of cross-linked CD43 compared with control cells, indicating that cross-linking of CD43 by a disulphide bond was not involved in the clustering. Both CD43 clustering and binding of the oxidized cells to macrophages was prevented by the caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-fmk), suggesting that the oxidized and macrophage-bound cells were undergoing apoptosis. A closer examination revealed that the caspase-3 activity, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation in Jurkat cells were all increased by oxidation. The macrophage receptor involved in the binding appeared to be the cell-surface protein, nucleolin; an anti-nucleolin antibody treatment inhibited the binding. These results suggest that thiol group-oxidized cells underwent early apoptosis and were recognized by nucleolin on macrophages as early apoptotic cells.

Erythrocyte caspase-3 levels in children with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), a number of intra- and extracellular factors, e.g., uremic toxins, mechanic, oxidative or osmotic stress - induce changes (rearrangements) in the structure of cytoplasmatic membrane, while also simultaneously deregulating blood cell metabolism and, in consequence, contributing to preliminary ageing and suicidal death of red blood cells (RBCs).The aim of the reported study was an evaluation of caspase-3 and lactate dehydrogenase activities and of ATP concentrations in erythrocytes as cellular responses to CKD progress.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Conservatively treated sixty (60) CKD children were enrolled into the study and divided, according to CKD progression (stage I-IV). The control group consisted of twenty-five (25) healthy children. The activity of caspase-3 (Casp-3) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were spectrophotometrically assayed in haemolysed erythrocytes. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP(e)) concentrations were measured by means of a luciferin-luciferase kit.

RESULTS

A gradual increase of LDH and ATP levels was observed in transition from CKD stage I to stage III. In Group IV, the levels of those parameters were statistically significantly lower than in the control group. The activity of Casp-3 in Group I was comparable to that in healthy children. The highest activity of Casp-3 was observed in Group III.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The activity of caspase-3 in RBCs of CKD children grows with progression of the disease. 2. The lower LDH activities and the ATP concentration drop below the values characteristic for the control group, as observed in stage IV of CKD, indicate a compromised energy balance.

Biological validation of bio-engineered red blood cell productions

The generation in vitro of cultured red blood cells (cRBC) could become an alternative to classical transfusion products. However, even when derived from healthy donors, the cRBC generated in vitro from hematopoietic stem cells may display alterations resulting from a poor controlled production process. In this context, we attempted to monitor the quality of the transfusion products arising from new biotechnologies. For that purpose, we developed an in vitro erythrophagocytosis (EP) test with the murine fibroblast cell line MS-5 and human macrophages (reference method). We evaluated 38 batches of cRBC, at the stage of reticulocyte, generated from CD34(+) cells isolated from placental blood or by leukapheresis. We showed that (i) the EP test performed with the MS-5 cell line was sensitive and can replace human macrophages for the evaluation of cultured cells. (ii) The EP tests revealed disparities among the batches of cRBC. (iii) The viability of the cells (determined by calcein-AM test), the expression of CD47 (antiphagocytosis receptor) and the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS, marker of phagocytosis) were not critical parameters for the validation of the cRBC. (iv) Conversely, the cell deformability determined by ektacytometry was inversely correlated with the intensity of the phagocytic index. Assuming that the culture conditions directly influence the quality of the cell products generated, optimization of the production mode could benefit from the erythrophagocytosis test.

Clearance of CD43-capped cells by macrophages: capping alone leads to phagocytosis

Apoptotic cells must be recognized early for phagocytosis to ensure that their toxic contents do not damage neighboring cells. In some cases this is achieved via CD43-capped membrane glycoproteins, the sialylpolylactosaminyl chains of which serve as ligands for phagocytosis by macrophages. However, because many additional changes occur during apoptosis, determining exactly which events are responsible for signaling macrophages to initiate phagocytosis remains a challenge. Here, we examined one clearance mechanism in detail and determined that capping of CD43 alone is sufficient to initiate phagocytosis. We induced macrophage-mediated phagocytosis by using cytochalasin B to artificially cap CD43 on healthy (non-apoptotic) Jurkat cells. Additional experiments confirmed that sialylpolylactosaminyl chains formed through this capping method are a prerequisite for removal, and that nucleolin is the macrophage receptor responsible for their detection. These findings strongly suggest that capping of CD43 presents a sufficient signal for phagocytosis without any additional membrane changes.

Cell-surface nucleolin is involved in lipopolysaccharide internalization and signalling in alveolar macrophages

C23 (nucleolin) shuttling between the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell surface has been implicated in controlling regulatory processes and may play a role in pathogen infection and autoimmune diseases. It has been reported that cell surface-expressed C23 on THP-1 monocytes is involved in the inflammatory response induced by LPS (lipopolysaccharide). This study investigates whether C23 is a membrane receptor for LPS during LPS-induced AMs (alveolar macrophages) activation. First, using immunofluorescence and microscopy, we detected the expression of C23 on the surface of AMs. Second, using LPS affinity columns, we demonstrated that C23 directly binds to LPS. Third, we found that LPS colocalized with C23 on both the cell surface and in the cytoplasm. Finally, knockdown of C23 expression on the cell surface using siRNA (small interfering RNA) led to significant reductions in the internalization of LPS, in LPS-induced NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)-DNA binding and in the protein expression of TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-α and IL-6 (interleukin-6). These findings provide evidence that cell-surface C23 on AMs may serve as a receptor for LPS and are essential for internalization and transport of LPS. Furthermore, C23 participates in the regulation of LPS-induced inflammation of AMs, which indicates that cell-surface C23 is a new and promising therapeutic target for the treatment of bacterial infections.

A critical role for phagocytosis in resistance to malaria in iron-deficient mice

Both iron-deficient anemia (IDA) and malaria remain a threat to children in developing countries. Children with IDA are resistant to malaria, but the reasons for this are unknown. In this study, we addressed the mechanisms underlying the protection against malaria observed in IDA individuals using a rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii (Py). We showed that the intra-erythrocytic proliferation and amplification of Py parasites were not suppressed in IDA erythrocytes and immune responses specific for Py parasites were not enhanced in IDA mice. We also found that parasitized IDA cells were more susceptible to engulfment by phagocytes in vitro than control cells, resulting in rapid clearance of parasitized cells and that protection of IDA mice from malaria was abrogated by inhibiting phagocytosis. One possible reason for this rapid clearance might be increased exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer leaflet of parasitized IDA erythrocytes. The results of this study suggest that parasitized IDA erythrocytes are eliminated by phagocytic cells, which sense alterations in the membrane structure of parasitized IDA erythrocytes.

Effects of aging on antioxidant response and phagocytosis in senescent erythrocytes

Red blood cell (RBC) aging is a complex process affected by immunological and biochemical parameters. In this work we studied the antioxidant response in RBC of different ages. We also investigated their interaction with peripheral blood monocytes. Anticoagulated blood samples from 19 O RhD+ volunteers' donors were processed. Young (Y) RBC and Senescent (Se) RBC were obtained by self-formed gradients of Percoll. The fractionation of the erythrocytes suspensions was demonstrated by statistically significant density-related changes in hematological determinations. Activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), of soluble NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (b5Rs) and membrane-bound b5R (b5Rm) were determined spectrophotometrically. The interaction between monocytes and different RBC suspensions was evaluated by the erythrophagocytosis assay. The G6PD and b5Rm activities in SeRBC were significantly lower than that observed in YRBC. No differences were found in the b5Rs of both groups. We observed an increased rate of erythrophagocytosis the SeRBC compared to YRBC. The decline in the activities of G6PD and b5Rm would indicate a decrease in the antioxidant response associated to RBC aging. These findings would signify that the oxidative changes of membrane occurring during the life span of the RBC might be relevant in the process of removal of SeRBC from the circulation.

Clearance of oxidatively damaged cells by macrophages: recognition of glycoprotein clusters by macrophage-surface nucleolin as early apoptotic cells

The mechanism of macrophage recognition of oxidatively damaged cells was investigated. Jurkat T cells exposed to various concentrations of H(2)O(2) were bound and phagocytosed by macrophages. The cells exposed to 0.1 mM H(2)O(2) were best bound. The cell-surface ligands recognized by macrophages were suggested to be sialylpolylactosaminyl sugar chains of a major sialoglycoprotein CD43 because 1) the cell binding was inhibited by oligosaccharides containing sialylpolylactosaminyl chains, and their inhibitory activity was destroyed by a polylactosamine-cleaving enzyme endo-beta-galactosidase, and by neuraminidase; 2) the oxidized Jurkat cells pretreated with either glycosidase or with anti-CD43 antibody were not bound. The macrophage receptor involved in the binding was suggested to be cell-surface nucleolin because 1) anti-nucleolin antibody inhibited the binding; 2) nucleolin-transfected HEK293 cells bound the oxidized cells; and 3) this binding was inhibited by anti-nucleolin antibody and by anti-CD43 antibody. CD43 on oxidized Jurkat cells tended to form clusters in good accordance with their susceptibility to the macrophage binding. CD43 clustering and the oxidized-cell binding to macrophages were prevented by a caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk, suggesting that the oxidized and bound cells were undergoing apoptosis. Indeed, caspase-3 activity of Jurkat cells increased by the oxidation. These results suggest that moderately oxidized cells undergo apoptosis and are recognized by macrophages as early apoptotic cells.

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.

Cryptic natural autoantibodies and co-potentiators

Natural autoantibodies are normal components of the humoral arm of the immune system found in clinically healthy individuals. There are two subpopulations of natural antibodies, including an overt group of antibodies that are readily detected in unfractionated normal human sera. The other natural antibody subgroup is revealed by physico or biochemical treatment of normal human sera in vitro. Unmasking of this latter cryptic natural autoantibodies (cNA) may occur in vivo by local factors in the tissue environment of disease states. The masking cryptic factors may be immunoglobulin (Ig) or non-Ig in nature. These factors may either be co-inhibitors or co-enhancers of cNA. In the heat-potentiated binding of natural anti-phospholipid antibodies, apolipoprotein H (beta 2-glycoprotein I) appears to act as a co-enhancer. The immuno-relationship between the in vitro and in vivo cNA phenomenon remains to be elucidated.