scholarly journals Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by the Antimalarial Drug Mefloquine

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1395-1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Susanne Barking ◽  
Kousi Alzoubi ◽  
Guilai Liu ◽  
Guoxing Liu ◽  
...  

Background: The antimalarial drug mefloquine has previously been shown to stimulate apoptosis of nucleated cells. Similar to apoptosis, erythrocytes may enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include oxidative stress, increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i), and ceramide. Methods: Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell surface was estimated from annexin V binding, cell volume from forward scatter, reactive oxidant species (ROS) from 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, and ceramide abundance from specific antibody binding. Results: A 48 h treatment of human erythrocytes with mefloquine significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥5 µg/ml), significantly decreased forward scatter (≥5 µg/ml), significantly increased ROS abundance (5 µg/ml), significantly increased [Ca2+]i (7.5 µg/ml) and significantly increased ceramide abundance (10 µg/ml). The up-regulation of annexin-V-binding following mefloquine treatment was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, mefloquine significantly increased annexin-V-binding. Conclusions: Mefloquine treatment leads to erythrocyte shrinkage and erythrocyte membrane scrambling, effects at least partially due to induction of oxidative stress, increase of [Ca2+]i and up-regulation of ceramide abundance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 2283-2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Fink ◽  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Nefeli Zacharopoulou ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The sesquiterpene lactone Costunolide is effective against various disorders including inflammation and malignancy. The substance is effective in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Mechanisms involved include altered function of transcription factors and mitochondria. Erythrocytes lack nuclei and mitochondria but are – in analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells – able to enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study explored, whether Costunolide induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the mechanisms involved. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation from 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF)-dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Costunolide (15 µg/ml) significantly enhanced the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCF-fluorescence, and ceramide abundance. The effect of Costunolide on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusion: Costunolide triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry and paralleled by oxidative stress and ceramide formation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 926-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Jens Zierle ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Michela Castagna ◽  
Elena Bossi ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The multi-targeted kinase inhibitor pazopanib, a drug employed for the treatment of a wide variety of malignancies, has previously been shown to trigger apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter suicidal death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Mechanisms involved in the triggering of eryptosis include Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study explored, whether pazopanib induces eryptosis and, if so, whether it is effective by Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and/or ceramide. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation from DCF dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to pazopanib significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding (≥ 25 µg/ml) and of shrunken erythrocytes (≥ 50 µg/ml). Pazopanib treatment further resulted in significant hemolysis (≥ 25 µg/ml). The effect of pazopanib on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Pazopanib significantly increased DCF fluorescence (50 µg/ml) and ceramide abundance (50 µg/ml). Conclusions: Pazopanib triggers eryptosis, an effect involving Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1018-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kousi Alzoubi ◽  
Jasmin Egler ◽  
Majed Abed ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer drug auranofin has previously been shown to trigger apoptosis, the suicidal death of nucleated cells. Side effects of the drug include anaemia. At least in theory the anaemia could result from stimulation of suicidal death of erythrocytes or eryptosis, which involves cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Methods: Stimulators of eryptosis include oxidative stress and increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i). In the present study, phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin V binding, cell volume from forward scatter, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) from 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence, and [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence. Results: A 24 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to auranofin (≥5 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (from 2.2 ± 0.5 to 17.4 ± 1.5%), significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly enhanced ROS. At higher concentrations (10 µg/ml) auranofin triggered slight hemolysis (from 2.1 ± 0.2 to 3.2 ± 0.3%). Conclusions: Auranofin stimulates cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least partially due to induction of oxidative stress.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1537-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghada Bouguerra ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Salem Abbès ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The aldose reductase inhibitor zopolrestat has been shown to either decrease or increase apoptosis, the suicidal death of nucleated cells. Erythrocytes may similarly enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include oxidative stress, Ca2+ entry with increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), and ceramide formation. The present study explored, whether and how zopolrestat induces eryptosis. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin V binding, cell volume from forward scatter, oxidative stress from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to zopolrestat (≥ 150 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter (≥ 125 µg/ml), significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (200 µg/ml), significantly increased ceramide abundance (150 µg/ml), but did not significantly modify DCFDA fluorescence. The effect of zopolrestat on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted, but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Exposure of human erythrocytes to zopolrestat triggers cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling, an effect in part due to Ca2+ entry and ceramide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1626-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The bioactive steroid sapogenin diosgenin is considered for a wide variety of applications including treatment of malignancy. The substance counteracts tumor growth in part by stimulating apoptosis of tumor cells. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the stimulation of eryptosis includes increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study explored, whether diosgenin induces eryptosis and, if so, to decipher cellular mechanisms involved. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to estimate phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS formation from DCF dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemolysis was quantified by determination of haemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to diosgenin significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥ 5 µM), significantly decreased forward scatter (15 µM), significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (≥ 10 µM), significantly increased DCF fluorescence (15 µM), significantly increased ceramide abundance (15 µM) and significantly increased hemolysis (15 µM). The effect of diosgenin (15 µM) on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Diosgenin stimulates eryptosis with erythrocyte shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect paralleled by and at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Mohamed Jemaàa ◽  
MyriamFezai Fezai ◽  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Florian Lang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The atypical retinoid E23-(40-hydroxyl-30-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl) acrylic acid (ST1926, adarotene) is used in the treatment of malignancy. The effect of ST1926 is at least in part due to stimulation of apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes. Hallmarks of eryptosis include cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the stimulation of eryptosis includes increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity [Ca2+]<Sub>i</Sub>, oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study explored, whether adarotene induces eryptosis and, if so, to test for the involvement of Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to estimate phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]<Sub>i</Sub> from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to adarotene (9 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, an effect paralleled by significant decrease of forward scatter, as well as significant increase of Fluo3-fluorescence, DCFDA fluorescence, and ceramide abundance. The effect of adarotene (9 µM) on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Adarotene stimulates phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect paralleled by and at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 91-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The natural anthraquinone derivative emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a component of several Chinese medicinal herbal preparations utilized for more than 2000 years. The substance has been used against diverse disorders including malignancy, inflammation and microbial infection. The substance is effective in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells erythrocytes may enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the triggering of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study aimed to test, whether emodin induces eryptosis and, if so, to elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms. Methods: Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: Exposure of human erythrocytes for 48 hours to emodin (≥ 10 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, and at higher concentrations (≥ 50 µM) significantly increased forward scatter. Emodin significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (≥ 10 µM), DCFDA fluorescence (75 µM) and ceramide abundance (75 µM). The effect of emodin on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Emodin triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to stimulation of Ca2+ entry and paralleled by oxidative stress and ceramide appearance at the erythroctye surface.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2393-2404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Fazio ◽  
Marilena Briglia ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Kousi Alzoubi ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The alkylating drug oxaliplatin is widely used for chemotherapy of malignancy. Oxaliplatin is effective by inducing both, necrosis and apoptosis. Similar to necrosis or apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter hemolysis, which is apparent from hemoglobin release or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include oxidative stress and/or Ca2+ entry with increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i). The present study explored, whether and how oxaliplatin induces eryptosis. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was quantified utilizing annexin-V-binding, cell volume estimated from forward scatter, hemolysis deduced from hemoglobin release, [Ca2+]i determined utilizing Fluo-3 fluorescence, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) abundance visualized using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) dependent fluorescence. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to oxaliplatin (10 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, significantly increased Fluo-3 fluorescence, and significantly increased DCFDA fluorescence. The effect of oxaliplatin on annexin-V-binding and forward scatter was rather augmented by removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was significantly blunted in the presence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (1 mM). Conclusions: Oxaliplatin triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect partially dependent on ROS formation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2221-2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilena Briglia ◽  
Antonella Fazio ◽  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The anti-inflammatory, anti-autoimmune, antiparasitic, and anti-viral ether phospholipid edelfosine (1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methylglycero-3-phosphocholine) stimulates apoptosis of tumor cells and is thus considered for the treatment of malignancy. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include Ca2+ entry with increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i) and oxidative stress. The present study explored, whether and how edelfosine induces eryptosis. Methods: Flow cytometry and photometry, respectively, were employed to estimate phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, and abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence. Results: A 6 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to edelfosine (5 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, and significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, but did not significantly modify DCFDA fluorescence. The effect of edelfosine on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted, but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Edelfosine triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect in part due to stimulation of Ca2+ entry.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 and 2a inhibitor Calyculin A may trigger suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+] i). Eryptosis is fostered by activation of staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, and D4476 sensitive casein kinase. Eryptosis may further involve zVAD sensitive caspases. The present study explored, whether Calyculin A induces eryptosis and, if so, whether its effect requires Ca2+ entry, kinases and/or caspases Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, and [Ca2+] i from Fluo-3 fluorescence, as determined by flow cytometry. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Calyculin A (≥ 2.5 nM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly increased Fluo-3 fluorescence. The effect of Calyculin A on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+, by staurosorine (1 µM), SB203580 (2 µM), D4476 (10 µM), and zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Calyculin A triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part requiring Ca2+ entry, kinase activity and caspase activation.


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