scholarly journals Simvastatin, a Novel Stimulator of Eryptosis, the Suicidal Erythrocyte Death

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 492-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Sigrid Nüßle ◽  
Hang Cao ◽  
Shaqiu Zhang ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor simvastatin has been shown to trigger apoptosis of several cell types. The substance has thus been proposed as an additional treatment of malignancy. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death. Hallmarks of eryptosis include cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the extracellular face of the erythrocyte cell membrane. Signaling contributing to stimulation of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), induction of oxidative stress, increase of ceramide abundance, and activation of SB203580-sensitive p38 kinase. The present study explored, whether simvastatin induces eryptosis and aimed to shed light on cellular mechanisms involved. 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. Hemolysis was estimated from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 h exposure of human erythrocytes to simvastatin (1 µg/ml) significantly decreased the forward scatter, significantly augmented the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, and significantly enhanced DCFDA fluorescence. Simvastatin tended to increase ceramide abundance, an effect, however, escaping statistical significance. The effect of simvastatin on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of SB203580 (2 µM). Conclusions: Simvastatin stimulates eryptosis, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, and p38 kinase.

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1638-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The bis-indole alkaloid Fascaplysin is effective against malignancy, an effect at least partially due to stimulation of tumor cell apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes could 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 Fascaplysin induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the 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 DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemolysis was quantified from the hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Fascaplysin (≥ 5 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, and significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCFDA fluorescence as well as ceramide abundance. The effect of Fascaplysin on annexin-V-binding and forward scatter was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Fascaplysin triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress and ceramide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 2300-2310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Michela Castagna ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: Piceatannol, an analog and metabolite of resveratrol, is effective against various disorders including malignancy. It is in part effective by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Cellular mechanisms mediating the proapoptotic effect of Piceatannol include mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release. Erythrocytes lack mitochondria but may nevertheless 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 triggering of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide formation. The present study explored, whether Piceatannol induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed some 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, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation from 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) diacetate-dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant was taken as measure of hemolysis. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Piceatannol (10 - 20 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, significantly increased DCFDA-fluorescence, significantly increased ceramide abundance, but did not significantly increase Fluo3-fluorescence. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ slightly blunted but did not abolish the effect of Piceatannol on annexin-V-binding and forward scatter. Piceatannol (20 µM) significantly augmented the increase of annexin-V-binding, but significantly blunted the decrease of forward scatter following treatment with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Conclusions: Piceatannol triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part downstream of Ca2+ and involving oxidative stress and ceramide formation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1239-1251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Hang Cao ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene is utilized for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is effective in several further malignancies. The substance counteracts tumor growth in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Side effects of bexarotene treatment include anemia. Theoretically, bexarotene 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, increase of ceramide abundance, as well as activation of staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, D4476 sensitive casein kinase 1, and zVAD sensitive caspases. The present study explored, whether bexarotene induces eryptosis and, if so, whether its effect involves Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, ceramide, kinases and/or caspases. 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. Hemolysis was estimated from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to bexarotene (≥ 0.4 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells without significantly modifying forward scatter. Bexarotene significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence and DCFDA fluorescence. Bexarotene tended to increase ceramide abundance, an effect, however, not reaching statistical significance. The effect of bexarotene on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of D4476 (10 µM), but not by addition of staurosporine (1 µM), SB203580 (2 µM), or zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Bexarotene triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, and activation of D4476 sensitive casein kinase.


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.


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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Elena Signoretto ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The viral integrase enzyme inhibitor dolutegravir is utilized for the treatment of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Knowledge on cytotoxicity of dolutegravir is limited. The present study thus explored, whether dolutegravir is able to trigger suicidal erythrocyte 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 triggering of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, and activation of protein kinase C, p38 kinase, casein kinase, and caspases. The present study explored, whether Dolutegravir induces eryptosis and, if so, to gain insight into cellular mechanisms involved. Methods: Utilizing flow cytometry, 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. Hemolysis was quantified from haemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to dolutegravir significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥ 4.8 µM), significantly increased hemolysis (19.1 µM), but did not significantly modify forward scatter. Dolutegravir significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (≥ 4.8 µM), DCFDA fluorescence (19.1 µM) and ceramide abundance (19.1 µM). The effect of dolutegravir on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was not significantly modified by protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine (1 µM), p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (2 µM), casein kinase inhibitor D4476 (10 µM) or pancaspase inhibitor zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Dolutegravir triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, ceramide formation and oxidative stress.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 2464-2476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Katja Stockinger ◽  
Florian Lang

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 2534-2544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Egler ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The alkylphospholipid perifosine is used for the treatment of malignancy. The substance is effective by triggering suicidal tumor cell death or apoptosis. Side effects of perifosine include anemia. At least in theory, perifosine-induced anemia could result from stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis. Hallmarks of eryptosis are cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Cellular mechanisms participating in the orchestration of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, increase of ceramide abundance, as well as activation of staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C and/or of SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase. The present study explored, whether perifosine induces eryptosis and, if so, whether its effect involves and/or requires Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, ceramide and kinase activation. 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. Hemolysis was estimated from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 24 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to perifosine (2.5 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased average forward scatter, significantly increased the percentage of shrunken erythrocytes, and significantly decreased the percentage of swollen erythrocytes. Perifosine significantly increased the percentage of hemolytic erythrocytes. Perifosine significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, but decreased DCFDA fluorescence and ceramide abundance. The effect of perifosine on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of staurosporine (1 µM), but not by addition of SB203580 (2 µM). Conclusions: Perifosine triggers eryptosis, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry and activation of staurosporine sensitive kinases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 543-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majed Abed ◽  
Kousi Alzoubi ◽  
Florian Lang ◽  
Abdulla  Al Mamun Bhuayn

Background/Aims: The endogenous retinoid 9-cis-retinoic acid has previously been shown to trigger apoptosis in a wide variety of cells including several tumor cells and has thus been suggested for the treatment of malignancy. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Cellular mechanisms participating in the accomplishment of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i) and formation of ceramide. The present study explored, whether 9-cis-retinoic acid induces eryptosis and whether the effect involves Ca2+ and/or ceramide. Methods: 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, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemolysis was quantified from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to 9-cis-retinoic acid (≥ 0.5 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells and significantly decreased forward scatter. Exposure to 9-cis-retinoic acid (≥ 0.5 µg/ml) significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, and the effect of 9-cis-retinoic acid on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Exposure to 9-cis-retinoic acid (1 µg/ml) further significantly increased the ceramide abundance at the erythrocyte surface and significantly increased hemolysis. Conclusions: 9-cis-retinoic acid triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part downstream of Ca2+ and ceramide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 657-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morena Mischitelli ◽  
Mohamed Jemaà ◽  
Mustafa Almasry ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The analkaloid drug quinine is utilized mainly for the chemoprophylaxis of malaria. The multiple side effects of quinine include hemolytic anemia and hemolytic uremic syndrome, disorders involving suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling contributing to stimulation of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide and D4476 sensitive casein kinase. The present study explored the putative effect of quinine on eryptosis and elucidated 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 DCF dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to quinine (≥ 50 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells without significantly affecting forward scatter. Quinine significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCF fluorescence and ceramide abundance. The effect of quinine on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and by addition of D4476 (10 µM). Conclusions: Quinine triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, oxidative stress, ceramide and D4476 sensitive casein kinase.


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