scholarly journals Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Ceritinib-Treatment of Human Erythrocytes

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1129-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Casein Kinase 1 ◽  
Anaplastic Lymphoma ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background/Aims: The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor ceritinib is utilized for the treatment of ALK positive non-small cell lung carcinoma. Side effects of the drug include decrease of blood hemoglobin concentration. Possible causes of anemia include stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling of eryptosis includes increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, D4476 sensitive casein kinase 1, and zVAD sensitive caspases. The present study explored, whether ceritinib induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the cellular 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, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to ceritinib (1 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, but did not significantly modify DCFDA fluorescence or ceramide abundance. The effect of ceritinib on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+, by the kinase inhibitors staurosporine (1 µM), SB203580 (2 µM) and D4476 (10 µM), as well as by caspase inhibitor zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Ceritinib triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, as well as activation of kinases and Caspases.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Erythrocyte Cell Membrane Scrambling by ASP3026

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Hang Cao ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Energy Depletion ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Anaplastic Lymphoma ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Background/Aims: The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor ASP3026 is in clinical development for the treatment of ALK expressing non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). ASP3026 is in part effective by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells. Erythrocytes lack mitochondria and nuclei, key organelles in the execution of apoptosis, but are nevertheless able to enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the cell surface and by cell shrinkage. Eryptosis is triggered by cell stress, such as energy depletion, hyperosmotic shock, oxidative stress and excessive increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i). The present study explored, whether ASP3026 impacts on eryptosis. Methods: Human erythrocytes have been exposed to energy depletion (glucose withdrawal for 48 hours), oxidative stress (addition of 0.3 mM tert-butylhydroperoxide [tBOOH] for 50 min) or Ca2+ loading with Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 µM for 60 min) in absence and presence of ASP3026 (1-4 µg/ml). Flow cytometry was employed to quantify phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, and cell volume from forward scatter. Results: Treatment with ASP3026 alone did not significantly modify annexin-V-binding or forward scatter. Energy depletion, oxidative stress and ionomycin, all markedly and significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding erythrocytes, and decreased the forward scatter. ASP3026 significantly blunted the effect of energy depletion and oxidative stress, but not of ionomycin on annexin-V-binding. ASP3026 did not significantly influence the effect of any maneuver on forward scatter. Conclusions: ASP3026 is a novel inhibitor of erythrocyte cell membrane scrambling following energy depletion and oxidative stress.

scholarly journals Stimulation of Eryptosis by Afatinib

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 1259-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Tumor Cell Death ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background/Aims: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor afatinib is primarily utilized for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma. The drug is at least partially effective by triggering suicidal tumor cell death. Side effects of afatinib treatment include anemia. At least in theory, afatinib induced anemia could be secondary to stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling potentially stimulating eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), induction of oxidative stress, and increase of ceramide abundance. The present study explored, whether afatinib induces eryptosis and, if so, whether its effect involves Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, and/or ceramide. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to quantify phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) abundance from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to afatinib (≥ 4 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells and significantly decreased forward scatter. Afatinib significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCFDA fluorescence and ceramide abundance. The effect of afatinib on annexin-V-binding and forward scatter was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Afatinib triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, and ceramide.

scholarly journals Oxaliplatin Induced Suicidal Death of Human Erythrocytes

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2393-2404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Fazio ◽  
Marilena Briglia ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Kousi Alzoubi ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation ◽  
Ros Formation ◽  
Binding Cell

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.

scholarly journals Triggering of Eryptosis, the Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor Temsirolimus

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1575-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Hang Cao ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Mtor Inhibitor ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Casein Kinase 1 ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface

Background/Aims: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor temsirolimus is utilized for the treatment of malignancy. Temsirolimus is at least in part effective by triggering suicidal tumor cell death. The most common side effect of temsirolimus treatment is anemia. At least in theory, the anemia following temsirolimus treatment could result from stimulation of eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death. Hallmarks of eryptosis include cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the orchestration of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, as well as activation of staurosporine and chelerythrine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, D4476 sensitive casein kinase 1, and zVAD sensitive caspases. The purpose of the present study was to test whether temsirolimus influences eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the signaling involved. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to estimate cell volume from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) abundance from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemolysis was determined from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to temsirolimus (5 – 20 µg/ml) significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells. Temsirolimus significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCFDA fluorescence and ceramide abundance at the erythrocyte surface. The effect of temsirolimus on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of staurosporine (1 µM) or chelerythrine (10 µM) but not significantly modified by addition of SB203580 (2 µM), D4476 (10 µM), or zVAD (10 µM). Chelerythrine (10 µM) further significantly blunted the effect of temsirolimus on DCFDA fluorescence but not ceramide formation. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ had no effect on temsirolimus induced ROS formation or ceramide abundance. Conclusions: Temsirolimus triggers eryptosis with cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, ceramide and activation of staurosporine/Chelerythrine sensitive kinase(s).

scholarly journals Edelfosine Induced Suicidal Death of Human Erythrocytes

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2221-2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilena Briglia ◽  
Antonella Fazio ◽  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation ◽  
Phospholipid Scrambling ◽  
Binding Cell

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.

scholarly journals Enhanced Eryptosis Following Exposure to Lopinavir

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 2486-2495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Sabrina Waibel ◽  
Ghada Bouguerra ◽  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Salem Abbès ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation ◽  
Phospholipid Scrambling ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background/Aims: The protease inhibitor lopinavir, used for the treatment of HIV infections, triggers suicidal death or apoptosis of nucleated cells. Side effects of lopinavir include anemia, which could in theory result from stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and by phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane leading to phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include oxidative stress, increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), and ceramide. The present study explored, whether lopinavir induces eryptosis. 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, reactive oxygen species (ROS) abundance from 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence, reduced glutathione (GSH) from mercury orange fluorescence and ceramide abundance utilizing labelled specific antibodies. Hemolysis was estimated from haemoglobin concentration of the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to lopinavir significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥ 10 µg/ml), significantly decreased forward scatter (≥15 µg/ml), significantly increased hemolysis (≥ 15 µg/ml), significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (20 µg/ml), and significantly increased DCFDA fluorescence (20 µg/ml) but did not significantly modify ceramide abundance. The effect of lopinavir on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted, but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusion: Lopinavir treatment of erythrocytes from healthy volunteers is followed by cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect in part due to stimulation of ROS formation and Ca2+ entry.

scholarly journals Enhanced Eryptosis Following Exposure to Carnosic Acid

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1779-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Stockinger ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Ghada Bouguerra ◽  
Salem Abbès ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Carnosic Acid ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation

Background/Aims: The phenolic abietane diterpene component of rosemary and sage, carnosic acid, may either induce or inhibit apoptosis of nucleated cells. The mechanisms involved in the effects of carnosic acid include altered mitochondrial function and gene expression. Human erythrocytes lack mitochondria and nuclei but are nevertheless able to enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Cellular mechanisms involved in the stimulation of eryptosis include oxidative stress, increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), and ceramide formation. The present study explored, whether and how carnosic acid induces eryptosis. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure 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: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to carnosic acid significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (2.5 µg/ml), significantly decreased forward scatter (10 µg/ml), significantly increased Fluo3 fluorescence (10 µg/ml), significantly increased ceramide abundance (10 µg/ml), significantly increased hemolysis (10 µg/ml), but significantly decreased DCFDA fluorescence (10 µg/ml). The effect of carnosic acid on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted, but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusion: Carnosic acid triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the human erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect paralleled by and/or in part due to Ca2+ entry and increased ceramide abundance.

scholarly journals Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Tafenoquine

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 2464-2476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Katja Stockinger ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Casein Kinase ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background/Aims: The 8-aminoquinoline tafenoquine has been shown to be effective against Plasmodia, Leishmania and Trypanosoma. The substance is at least in part effective by triggering apoptosis of the parasites. Similar to apoptosis, 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 regulation of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, zVAD sensitive caspases, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C as well as D4476 sensitive casein kinase. The present study explored, whether tafenoquine induces eryptosis and aimed to possibly identify 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 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to tafenoquine (500 ng/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, and significantly increased DCFDA fluorescence. Tafenoquine did not significantly modify ceramide abundance. The effect of tafenoquine on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. The effect of tafenoquine on annexin-V-binding was not significantly blunted by zVAD (10 µM), SB203580 (2 µM) or staurosporine (1 µM). The effect of tafenoquine on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by D4476 (10 µM). Conclusions: Tafenoquine triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to stimulation of Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and possibly activation of casein kinase.

scholarly journals Saquinavir Induced Suicidal Death of Human Erythrocytes

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1973-1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Waibel ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Ghada Bouguerra ◽  
Salem Abbès ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation ◽  
Ros Formation

Background/Aims: The antiretroviral protease inhibitor saquinavir is used for the treatment of HIV infections. Effects of saquinavir include induction of apoptosis, the suicidal death of nucleated cells. Saquinavir treatment may further lead to anemia. In theory, anemia could result from accelerated erythrocyte loss by enhanced suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include Ca2+ entry with increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress with increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ceramide. The present study explored, whether and how saquinavir induces eryptosis. Methods: To this end, flow cytometry was employed to estimate erythrocyte volume from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS abundance from DCFDA fluorescence and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to saquinavir significantly decreased forward scatter (≥ 5 µg/ml), significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥ 10 µg/ml), significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (15 µg/ml), significantly increased DCFDA fluorescence (15 µg/ml), but did not significantly modify ceramide abundance. The effect of saquinavir on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted, but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Saquinavir triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect in part due to stimulation of ROS formation and Ca2+ entry.

scholarly journals Camalexin-Induced Cell Membrane Scrambling and Cell Shrinkage in Human Erythrocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 731-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Florian Lang ◽  
Caterina Faggio
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Human Erythrocytes ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Forward Scatter ◽  
Erythrocyte Surface ◽  
Suicidal Death ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Translocation

Background/Aims: The thaliana phytoalexin Camalexin has been proposed for the treatment of malignancy. Camalexin counteracts tumor growth in part by stimulation of suicidal death or 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. Cellular mechanisms contributing to the complex machinery executing eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, protein kinase C and caspases. The present study explored, whether Camalexin induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on mechanisms involved. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo-3 fluorescence, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Camalexin significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥ 10 µg/ml), significantly decreased forward scatter (≥ 5 µg/ml) and significantly increased Fluo-3-fluorescence (≥ 10 µg/ml), but did not significantly modify DCFDA fluorescence or ceramide abundance. The effect of Camalexin on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+, by kinase inhibitors staurosporine (1 µM) and chelerythrine (10 µM), as well as by caspase inhibitors zVAD (10 µM) and zIETD-fmk (50 µM). Conclusions: Camalexin triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part depending on Ca2+ entry, as well as staurosporine and chelerythrine sensitive kinase(s) as well as zVAD and zIETD-fmk sensitive caspase(s).

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