Rap-536 Induces Reticulocyte Maturation in Wild-Type Mice, Increases Survival of Beta-Thalassemic Reticulocytes, and Increases Red Blood Cells in a Mouse Model of Alpha-Thalassemia

Luspatercept is a recombinant fusion protein that binds and sequesters several endogenous transforming growth factor-beta superfamily ligands, including growth differentiation factor 11, thereby diminishing Smad2/3 signaling in target cells involved in erythropoiesis. Luspatercept, and its murine analog RAP-536, have been shown to act as erythroid maturation agents via their effects on late-stage erythropoiesis by inducing erythroblast maturation, leading to increases in red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin (Hb). This study demonstrated that thalassemic (th3/+) reticulocytes are unstable, and that RAP-536, in addition to its function as an erythroid maturation agent, modulates the maturation of wild-type (WT) and th3/+ reticulocytes. Furthermore, RAP-536 treatment increased RBCs and decreased bilirubin in a mouse model of alpha-thalassemia (129S-Hba-a1tm1Led/J). To examine whether acute RAP-536 treatment acts on reticulocytes and alters reticulocyte levels in blood, the blood of WT mice was analyzed 3, 12, and 24 hours, and 2, 3, 4, and 7 days after a single dose of RAP-536 (10 or 30 mg/kg) or vehicle. RAP-536 treatment increased RBCs, Hb, and hematocrit significantly at all time points, compared with vehicle. However, in mice treated with RAP-536, reticulocytes in blood decreased significantly on Days 2, 3, and 4 and returned to normal baseline levels on Day 7. Analysis of reticulocyte subpopulations in blood 3 days after RAP-536 treatment showed that the relative percentages of immature reticulocytes (CD71+ or high RNA content) within the blood reticulocyte population decreased, suggesting that reticulocytes released from the bone marrow (BM) were more mature and/or reticulocytes matured faster in blood. A quantitative pharmacology (QP) model was developed to explore which RAP-536-induced modulations of erythropoiesis in WT mice can simulate the experimental observations. The model represents erythroblast, reticulocyte, and RBC (erythrocyte) maturation stages in BM, peripheral blood, and spleen, in the presence or absence of a RAP-536 effect. The QP model consists of a system of ordinary differential equations, with homeostatic parameter values assigned from literature or experimental measures, and RAP-536-perturbed parameter values regressed by fitting the model to erythropoiesis data of RAP-536-treated WT mice. Comparison of model parameters for homeostatic versus RAP-536-perturbed states indicated that RAP-536 leads to an increase in the erythroblast-to-reticulocyte and reticulocyte-to-RBC conversion rates, the transfer of BM reticulocytes to blood, and a delayed increase in erythroblast production. To directly test whether RAP-536 treatment affects reticulocyte development in blood, comparative blood transfusion experiments were performed. Biotinylated GFP+ blood from WT mice (C57BL/6-Tg(UBC-GFP)30Scha/J) and biotinylated GFP− blood from th3/+ beta-thalassemic mice (B6.129P2-Hbb-b1tm1Unc Hbb-b2tm1Unc/J) were co-transfused into GFP− WT recipient mice (C57BL/6J), which were subsequently treated with RAP-536 or vehicle. In the donor reticulocyte population, th3/+ reticulocyte percentage decreased continuously up to 3 days after transfusion, suggesting that many of the th3/+ reticulocytes were eliminated before they could form RBCs. However, compared with vehicle, RAP-536 treatment led to increased persistence of the relative percentages of th3/+ reticulocytes (Figure A). Consequently, 7 days after transfusion, when most reticulocytes have matured to RBCs, the percentage of th3/+ RBC among donor RBCs was higher with RAP-536 (Figure B). Finally, treatment of an alpha-thalassemia mouse model (129S-Hba-a1tm1Led/J) with RAP-536 10 mg/kg for 8 weeks increased RBCs and hematocrit and reduced serum bilirubin, compared with vehicle. These results suggest that RAP-536 is, as previously shown, an erythroid maturation agent, which also modulates reticulocyte maturation in blood. In WT mice, RAP-536 modulated blood reticulocyte dynamics consistent with faster maturation. RAP-536 also prolonged the persistence of th3/+ reticulocytes and maintained a higher frequency of th3/+ RBCs. These data, together with the finding that RAP-536 reduces hemolysis in an experimental alpha-thalassemia disease model, suggest that luspatercept has the potential to improve anemias associated with hemolysis and/or reticulocytosis. Disclosures Acar: Bristol Myers Squibb: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Jupelli:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Abbiati:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Ramanathan:Acceleron Pharma: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Santini:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months. Ratushny:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Dunshee:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Genentech Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Lopes de Menezes:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. MacBeth:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Suragani:Acceleron Pharma: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Loos:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Schwickart:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Ulk1 plays a critical role in the autophagic clearance of mitochondria and ribosomes during reticulocyte maturation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2008-02-137398 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (4) ◽

pp. 1493-1502 ◽

Cited By ~ 351

Author(s):

Mondira Kundu ◽

Tullia Lindsten ◽

Chia-Ying Yang ◽

Junmin Wu ◽

Fangping Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Red Blood Cells ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Critical Role ◽

Serine Threonine Kinase ◽

Newborn Mice ◽

Atp Production ◽

Threonine Kinase ◽

Selective Elimination ◽

Reticulocyte Maturation ◽

Erythroid Maturation

Abstract Production of a red blood cell's hemoglobin depends on mitochondrial heme synthesis. However, mature red blood cells are devoid of mitochondria and rely on glycolysis for ATP production. The molecular basis for the selective elimination of mitochondria from mature red blood cells remains controversial. Recent evidence suggests that clearance of both mitochondria and ribosomes, which occurs in reticulocytes following nuclear extrusion, depends on autophagy. Here, we demonstrate that Ulk1, a serine threonine kinase with homology to yeast atg1p, is a critical regulator of mitochondrial and ribosomal clearance during the final stages of erythroid maturation. However, in contrast to the core autophagy genes such as atg5 and atg7, expression of ulk1 is not essential for induction of macroautophagy in response to nutrient deprivation or for survival of newborn mice. Together, these data suggest that the ATG1 homologue, Ulk1, is a component of the selective autophagy machinery that leads to the elimination of organelles in erythroid cells rather that an essential mechanistic component of autophagy.

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RAP-536 Promotes Terminal Erythroid Differentiation and Reduces Anemia in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.610.610 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 610-610 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rajasekhar NVS Suragani ◽

Aaron Mulivor ◽

R. Scott Pearsall ◽

Ravindra Kumar

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Supportive Care ◽

Red Blood Cells ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Wild Type ◽

Erythroid Progenitor ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Abstract 610 Myelodysplatic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. Patients develop peripheral blood cytopenias; however, the bone marrow shows increased proliferation and apoptosis. In addition to bone marrow apoptosis, a failure of differentiation contributes to reduced terminally differentiated blood cells. A significant proportion of patients with MDS will develop anemia that are refractory to treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) and must rely on transfusions as supportive care. The use of blood transfusions as supportive care is associated with iron overload and significant morbidity. Therefore, alternative therapies to treat anemia in MDS patients are needed. Members of the TGFβ super family of signaling molecules have been implicated in erythropoiesis and represent alternative, EPO-independent targets for the treatment of anemia. ACE-536 is a soluble receptor fusion protein consisting of a modified Activin Receptor Type IIB extracellular domain linked to a human Fc domain. ACE-536 acts as a ligand trap to modulate the activity of TGFβ ligands and promote erythroid differentiation in an EPO independent manner. Subcutaneous administration of ACE-536 to C57BL/6 mice resulted in significant increases in hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cells compared to vehicle treated controls within four days. These effects were observed with concurrent treatment of an EPO neutralizing antibody, indicating that EPO is not directly responsible for the initial RBC response of ACE-536. BFU-E or CFU-E colony formation assays from bone marrow or spleen of mice 48 hours after ACE-536 were normal, indicating no effect on the erythroid progenitor population. Differentiation profiling of bone marrow and splenic erythroblasts by FACS analysis following 72 hours after RAP-536 (murine version of ACE-536) treatment revealed a decrease in basophilic erythroblasts and an increase in late stage poly-, ortho-chromatophilic and reticulocytes in bone marrow and spleen compared to vehicle treated mice. The data demonstrate that while EPO treatment increases proliferation of erythroid progenitors, ACE-536 promotes maturation of terminally differentiating erythroblasts. The efficacy of ACE-536 has been demonstrated in various animal models of acute and chronic anemia. In this study we investigated the effect of ACE-536 on anemia in mouse model of MDS. The NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) transgenic mouse carries a common translocation found in MDS patients. NHD13 mice develop anemia, neutropenia and lymphopenia at 4–7 months of age, with normal or hypercellular bone marrow. Starting at 4 months of age, mice were treated with RAP-536 (murine homolog of ACE-536) at 10 mg/kg or vehicle control twice per week for 8 months. Wild-type littermate controls were also dosed on the same schedule. As expected, at study baseline (mice 4 months of age), NHD13 mice had reduced RBC, Hb and HCT compared to wild-type littermates. The progression of anemia over the study period was reduced by treatment with RAP-536 compared to vehicle (HCT: −8.3% v. −22%, RBC: −13% v. −30%). Based on blood smear analyses, there was no indication of increased leukemic cells with ACE-536 treatment. Our data demonstrate that RAP-536 can increase hematology parameters through enhancing maturation of terminally differentiated red blood cells and can serve as a therapeutic molecule for the treatment of anemia. As anemia contributes significantly to the morbidity of patients with MDS, a mouse model was used to test the therapeutic efficacy of ACE-536 in this disease. We have shown that systemic administration of RAP-536 to MDS mice promotes increases in red blood cell mass without enhanced progression to AML. Therefore ACE-536 may represent a novel treatment for anemia associated with MDS, particularly in patients that are refractory to EPO therapy. Disclosures: Suragani: Acceleron Pharma Inc: Employment. Mulivor:Acceleron Pharma Inc: Employment. Pearsall:Acceleron Pharma Inc: Employment. Kumar:Acceleron Pharma Inc: Employment.

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Reconstruction of Sickle Cell Disease with Circulating Sickling Red Blood Cells in Novel Humanized Cytokines and Liver Mistrg Mice

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141603 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 29-30

Author(s):

Yuanbin Song ◽

Rana Gbyli ◽

Liang Shan ◽

Wei Liu ◽

Yimeng Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Red Blood Cells ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Red Cell ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Ineffective Erythropoiesis ◽

Cd34 Cells

In vivo models of human erythropoiesis with generation of circulating mature human red blood cells (huRBC) have remained elusive, limiting studies of primary human red cell disorders. In our prior study, we have generated the first combined cytokine-liver humanized immunodeficient mouse model (huHepMISTRG-Fah) with fully mature, circulating huRBC when engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)1. Here we present for the first time a humanized mouse model of human sickle cell disease (SCD) which replicates the hallmark pathophysiologic finding of vaso-occlusion in mice engrafted with primary patient-derived SCD HSPCs. SCD is an inherited blood disorder caused by a single point mutation in the beta-globin gene. Murine models of SCD exclusively express human globins in mouse red blood cells in the background of murine globin knockouts2 which exclusively contain murine erythropoiesis and red cells and thus fail to capture the heterogeneity encountered in patients. To determine whether enhanced erythropoiesis and most importantly circulating huRBC in engrafted huHepMISTRG-Fah mice would be sufficient to replicate the pathophysiology of SCD, we engrafted it with adult SCD BM CD34+ cells as well as age-matched control BM CD34+ cells. Overall huCD45+ and erythroid engraftment in BM (Fig. a, b) and PB (Fig. c, d) were similar between control or SCD. Using multispectral imaging flow cytometry, we observed sickling huRBCs (7-11 sickling huRBCs/ 100 huRBCs) in the PB of SCD (Fig. e) but not in control CD34+ (Fig. f) engrafted mice. To determine whether circulating huRBC would result in vaso-occlusion and associated findings in SCD engrafted huHepMISTRG-Fah mice, we evaluated histological sections of lung, liver, spleen, and kidney from control and SCD CD34+ engrafted mice. SCD CD34+ engrafted mice lungs showed an increase in alveolar macrophages (arrowheads) associated with alveolar hemorrhage and thrombosis (arrows) but not observed control engrafted mice (Fig. g). Spleens of SCD engrafted mice showed erythroid precursor expansion, sickled erythrocytes in the sinusoids (arrowheads), and vascular occlusion and thrombosis (arrows) (Fig. h). Liver architecture was disrupted in SCD engrafted mice with RBCs in sinusoids and microvascular thromboses (Fig. i). Congestion of capillary loops and peritubular capillaries and glomeruli engorged with sickled RBCs was evident in kidneys (Fig. j) of SCD but not control CD34+ engrafted mice. SCD is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis due to structural abnormalities in erythroid precursors3. As a functional structural unit, erythroblastic islands (EBIs) represent a specialized niche for erythropoiesis, where a central macrophage is surrounded by developing erythroblasts of varying differentiation states4. In our study, both SCD (Fig. k) and control (Fig. l) CD34+ engrafted mice exhibited EBIs with huCD169+ huCD14+ central macrophages surrounded by varying stages of huCD235a+ erythroid progenitors, including enucleated huRBCs (arrows). This implies that huHepMISTRG-Fah mice have the capability to generate human EBIs in vivo and thus represent a valuable tool to not only study the effects of mature RBC but also to elucidate mechanisms of ineffective erythropoiesis in SCD and other red cell disorders. In conclusion, we successfully engrafted adult SCD patient BM derived CD34+ cells in huHepMISTRG-Fah mice and detected circulating, sickling huRBCs in the mouse PB. We observed pathological changes in the lung, spleen, liver and kidney, which are comparable to what is seen in the established SCD mouse models and in patients. In addition, huHepMISTRG-Fah mice offer the opportunity to study the role of the central macrophage in human erythropoiesis in health and disease in an immunologically advantageous context. This novel mouse model could therefore serve to open novel avenues for therapeutic advances in SCD. Reference 1. Song Y, Shan L, Gybli R, et. al. In Vivo reconstruction of Human Erythropoiesis with Circulating Mature Human RBCs in Humanized Liver Mistrg Mice. Blood. 2019;134:338. 2. Ryan TM, Ciavatta DJ, Townes TM. Knockout-transgenic mouse model of sickle cell disease. Science. 1997;278(5339):873-876. 3. Blouin MJ, De Paepe ME, Trudel M. Altered hematopoiesis in murine sickle cell disease. Blood. 1999;94(4):1451-1459. 4. Manwani D, Bieker JJ. The erythroblastic island. Curr Top Dev Biol. 2008;82:23-53. Disclosures Xu: Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Flavell:Zai labs: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy.

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Heme Oxygenase 1 Plays An Unexpected Role During Erythroid Differentiation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.344.344 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 344-344

Author(s):

Daniel Garcia Santos ◽

Matthias Schranzhofer ◽

José Artur Bogo Chies ◽

Prem Ponka

Keyword(s):

Red Blood Cells ◽

Heme Oxygenase ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Heme Biosynthesis ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Wild Type ◽

Protein Levels

Abstract Abstract 344 Red blood cells (RBC) are produced at a rate of 2.3 × 106 cells per second by a dynamic and exquisitely regulated process known as erythropoiesis. During this development, RBC precursors synthesize the highest amounts of total organismal heme (75–80%), which is a complex of iron with protoporphyrin IX. Heme is essential for the function of all aerobic cells, but if left unbound to protein, it can promote free radical formation and peroxidation reactions leading to cell damage and tissue injury. Therefore, in order to prevent the accumulation of ‘free' heme, it is imperative that cells maintain a balance of heme biosynthesis and catabolism. Physiologically, the only enzyme capable of degrading heme are heme oxyganase 1 & 2 (HO). Red blood cells contain the majority of heme destined for catabolism; this process takes place in splenic and hepatic macrophages following erythrophagocytosis of senescent RBC. Heme oxygenase, in particular its heme-inducible isoform HO1, has been extensively studied in hepatocytes and many other non-erythroid cells. In contrast, virtually nothing is known about the expression of HO1 in developing RBC. Likewise, it is unknown whether HO1 plays any role in erythroid cell development under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. Using primary erythroid cells isolated from mouse fetal livers (FL), we have shown that HO1 mRNA and protein are expressed in undifferenetiated FL cells and that its levels, somewhat surprisingly, increase during erythropoietin-induced erythroid differentiation. This increase in HO1 can be prevented by succinylacetone (SA), an inhibitor of heme synthesis that blocks 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, the second enzyme in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, we have found that down-regulation of HO1 via siRNA increases globin protein levels in DMSO-induced murine erythroleukemic (MEL) cells. Similarly, compared to wild type mice, FL cells isolated from HO1 knockout mice (FL/HO1−/−) exhibited increased globin and transferrin receptor levels and a decrease in ferritin levels when induced for differentiation with erythropoietin. Following induction, compared to wild type cells, FL/HO1−/− cells showed increased iron uptake and its incorporation into heme. We therefore conclude that the normal hemoglobinization rate appears to require HO1. On the other hand, MEL cells engineered to overexpress HO1 displayed reduced globin mRNA and protein levels when induced to differentiate. This finding suggests that HO1 could play a role in some pathophysiological conditions such as unbalanced globin synthesis in thalassemias. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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The Xla (X-linked anemia) Mouse: A Transient Neonatal Anemia Caused by a Gata1 Splicing Mutation,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3162.3162 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3162-3162

Author(s):

Kyle Miller ◽

Michael Silvey ◽

Derek Logsdon ◽

Frederick Balch ◽

Ndona Nsumu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Red Blood Cells ◽

X Chromosome ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Clonal Selection ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Nucleotide Change ◽

Wild Type ◽

Erythroid Progenitors ◽

Erythroid Precursors

Abstract Abstract 3162 The Xla (X-linked anemia) mutant mouse was generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and results in a severe and transient neonatal anemia. Xla/+ females exhibit severe anemia with 50% the level of red blood cell number, hematocrit and hemoglobin. Male Xla mice die in utero at 10.5 days gestation. The neonatal anemia observed in Xla/+ female pups is resolved by weaning age at 3 weeks by which time the mice present with a normal hematological phenotype. It is unknown how the neonatal anemia in Xla/+ females is alleviated. Previously, we mapped the Xla locus to the proximal end of the X chromosome near candidate gene Gata1 which showed no change in the coding sequence of GATA1 protein. Now we report the identification of a Gata1 mutation in Xla mice that results in an mRNA splicing defect. A nucleotide change (G to A) was identified 5 base pairs downstream of Exon 1E in intron 1 of the Xla Gata1 gene and results in the lack of incorporation of Exon 1E in the Gata1 mRNA expressed from the mutant locus. Therefore, in some erythroid lineage cells in Xla/+ mice, the normal 1E exon of Gata1 mRNA is replaced by Exon 1Eb/c which is known not to impact erythropoeisis since no GATA1 protein is made by this mRNA due to its inability to bind to ribosomes. These data show the Xla mouse results from a single nucleotide change impacting the normal splicing of the Gata1 gene. A second goal of this study was to understand why Xla/+ mice exhibit the neonatal transient anemia. A contributing factor is X chromosome inactivation which occurs in female mice during development. The short-term anemia in Xla mice was thought to be due to clonal selection of erythroid lineage cells characterized by the expression of GATA1 protein from the active X chromosome expressing only from the wild type Gata1 locus. Using an X-linked gene expressed in red blood cells (Pgk1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1) that varies between Xla mice and a wild derived strain, CAST/Ei, we examined the active state of the X chromosomes based on the expression of Pgk1 RNA in reticulocytes from hybrid Xla mice generated by breeding of these different strains. Examining expression of the X-linked Pgk1 SNP variant in the RNA of reticulocytes from hybrid Xla/+ mice reveals red blood cells are generated from two types of erythroid lineage cells. Pgk1 SNP RT-PCR analysis reveals that red blood cells not only derive from erythroid progenitors with the active X chromosome carrying the wild type Gata1 gene but also red blood cells are produced by erythroid lineage cells expressing the Xla mutant Gata1 mRNA on the active X chromosome (which does not make GATA1 protein). Therefore, some Xla erythroid cells derive from progenitors which express Gata1 transcripts using Exon 1Eb/c that does not stimulate erythropoiesis due to lack of GATA1 protein. The question is how these erythroid precursors generate normal red blood cells without the production of GATA1 protein. We hypothesize there is a developmentally expressed compensatory gene or pathway replacing GATA1 expression in GATA1-lacking erythroid precursors and required for the production of red blood cells in Xla mice. Analysis is underway to identify a potential novel gene or pathway impacting erythropoiesis in these mutant mice. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Oxidative Stress and Increased Destruction of Red Blood Cells Contribute to the Pathophysiology of Anemia Caused By DMT1 Deficiency

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.4027.4027 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 4027-4027 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zuzana Zidova ◽

Daniel Garcia-Santos ◽

Katarina Kapralova ◽

Pavla Koralkova ◽

Renata Mojzikova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Red Blood Cells ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Wild Type ◽

Divalent Metal Transporter 1 ◽

Oxidative Defense

Abstract Inactivating mutations in divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) are associated with a severe defect in erythroid iron utilization and cause moderate to severe hypochromic microcytic anemia in human patients and two rodent models. We have previously shown that DMT1 deficiency impairs erythroid differentiation, induces apoptosis of erythroid precursors and causes the suppression of colony-forming capacity of erythroid progenitors. Using in vitro cultures of fetal liver cells we were able to recapitulate this in vivo defect. We confirmed abnormal pattern of erythroid differentiation and increased apoptosis (2.5-times) of DMT1-mutant erythroblasts when compared to wild-type (wt) fetal liver erythroblats. Determination of 2’,7’-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate-dependent intensity of fluorescence, which is proportional to the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), revealed elevated levels of ROS in DMT1-mutant erythroblats when compared to wt erythroblast. This result suggests that oxidative stress contributes to the apoptosis in DMT1-mutant cells. We also observed that the defective erythroid differentiation of DMT1-mutant erythroblasts is marked by a blunted induction of heme oxygenase-1, an enzyme that co-regulates erythroid differentiation by controlling the heme regulatory pool in erythroid cells (Garcia-Santos et al., Blood, 2014, 123 (14): 2269-77). In further studies we focused on mature red blood cells (RBC), because it is known that nutritional iron deficiency and certain types of congenital hypochromic anemia are associated with increased levels of ROS and shortened life span of RBC that can be at least partially attributed to a programmed cell death of erythrocytes, so called eryptosis (Lang et al., Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 2012, 44 (8): 1236-43). Using labeling with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester, we observed an accelerated clearance of DMT1-mutant RBC from circulating blood when compared to wild-type RBC. In vitro, DMT1-mutant RBC exposed to hyperosmotic shock or glucose depletion showed significantly increased levels of phosphatidylserine on the membrane detected by Annexin V binding. Together, these results confirmed eryptosis of DMT1-mutant RBC. As eryptosis is proposed to be triggered via activation of Ca2+ cation channels, we next measured the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ using Fluo3/AM fluorescent dye and found significantly elevated content of intracellular Ca2+ in DMT1-mutant RBC when compared to wt RBC. In addition, DMT1-mutant RBC had higher levels of ROS than wt RBC despite significantly increased activity of anti-oxidative defense enzymes; glutathione peroxidase (1.6-times), catalase (1.9-times) and methemoglobin reductase (1.9-times). This indicates that exaggerated anti-oxidative defense in DMT1-mutant RBC is not sufficient to eliminate ROS effectively. Furthermore, DMT1-mutant RBC also showed accelerated anaerobic glycolysis as detected by increased activities of hexokinase (2.5-times), pyruvate kinase (2.4-times), glucose-phosphate isomerase (3.2-times). This result together with reduced ATP/ADP (1.6-times) ratio in DMT1-mutant RBC when compared to wt RBC suggests an increased demand for ATP in DMT1-mutant erythrocytes. In conclusion we propose that increased oxidative stress and accelerated destruction of RBC contribute to the pathophysiology of anemia caused by DMT1-deficiency. Grant support: Czech Grant Agency, grant No. P305/11/1745; Ministry of Health Czech Republic, grant No. NT13587, Education for Competitiveness Operational Program, CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0164, Internal Grant of Palacky University Olomouc, LF_2014_011 and in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (D.G-S., P.P.). Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Dematin and Adducin Tether Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger, NHE1, to Erythrocyte Membrane Cytoskeleton

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.700.700 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 700-700

Author(s):

Yunzhe Lu ◽

Alicia Rivera ◽

Athar Chishti

Keyword(s):

Red Blood Cells ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Membrane Skeleton ◽

Junctional Complex ◽

Wild Type ◽

Core Domain ◽

The Core ◽

Nhe1 Activity ◽

Dematin Headpiece

Abstract Dematin is a critical component of the membrane junctional complex in red blood cells. It tethers the spectrin cytoskeleton proteins to the membrane and its genetic deletion in mice causes dissociation of the spectrin, actin and β-adducin from the membrane resulting in the collapse of the red blood cells (RBCs). As dematin lacks a transmembrane domain, it is still unclear how this critical component of the junctional complex is anchored to the RBC membrane. Our previous studies have shown that the multi-transmembrane glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) interacts with dematin and β-adducin in human RBCs, suggesting a potential role for GLUT1 in recruiting dematin to the membrane. However, as mouse RBCs do not express a GLUT1 homologue, an equivalent membrane receptor for dematin and/or adducin in mice remains to be determined. Using multiple in vitro and in vivo biochemical assays, here we demonstrate that the ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE1 (Slc9a1), is one of the receptors for dematin and β-adducin in mature mouse red blood cells. NHE1 directly interacts with the core domain of dematin. Moreover, the dematin headpiece domain mutant S381E, which binds to the core domain with a higher affinity than the wild type, abolished the biochemical interaction between dematin and NHE1. This observation suggests that NHE1 and dematin headpiece domain compete for the same binding site(s) on the core domain. Furthermore, this finding highlights a molecular mechanism whereby an intermolecular switch of dematin regulates its interaction with NHE1 by phosphorylation. Dematin and β-adducin directly interact with NHE1 at its membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domain, which in turn regulates NHE1 activity in response to growth factor stimuli and intracellular pH alterations. Accordingly,we observed an increased cellular sodium content in erythrocytes of dematin headpiece and adducin double knockout mice (DAKO), suggesting a higher NHE1 activity in DAKO erythrocytes. Unlike GLUT1, NHE1 is expressed in both mouse and human RBCs. Thus, our results provide a novel mechanism for linking NHE1 to membrane skeleton and multiple cell signaling pathways through dematin and adducin (Figure 1). Since NHE1 is one of the major regulators of intracellular pH and hypertonic stress, our findings raise the possibility that the dematin-adducin-NHE1 complex may modulate these functions in RBCs as well as in other cell types with broad impact on the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and cell migration. Figure 1 Dematin and adducin link erythrocyte junctional complex to membrane via multiple receptors. A, WT RBC cytoskeleton. B, Mutant (DAKO) RBC cytoskeleton. Images show a grossly deranged membrane skeleton in DAKO as compared to wild type. Red arrows show enlarged pores and yellow arrows indicate the presence of aggregates. Bars correspond to 0.2 µM. C, Schematic diagram of dematin, adducin, and NHE1 linking the complex to multiple signaling pathways. D, Proposed new model of the erythrocyte junctional complex. Figure 1. Dematin and adducin link erythrocyte junctional complex to membrane via multiple receptors. A, WT RBC cytoskeleton. B, Mutant (DAKO) RBC cytoskeleton. Images show a grossly deranged membrane skeleton in DAKO as compared to wild type. Red arrows show enlarged pores and yellow arrows indicate the presence of aggregates. Bars correspond to 0.2 µM. C, Schematic diagram of dematin, adducin, and NHE1 linking the complex to multiple signaling pathways. D, Proposed new model of the erythrocyte junctional complex. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Calibration, Selection and Identifiability Analysis of a Mathematical Model of the in vitro Erythropoiesis in Normal and Perturbed Contexts

10.1101/314955 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ronan Duchesne ◽

Anissa Guillemin ◽

Fabien Crauste ◽

Olivier Gandrillon

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Red Blood Cells ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Identifiability Analysis ◽

The Past ◽

Parameter Variations ◽

Linear Ode ◽

Kinetics Of

AbstractThe in vivo erythropoiesis, which is the generation of mature red blood cells in the bone marrow of whole organisms, has been described by a variety of mathematical models in the past decades. However, the in vitro erythropoiesis, which produces red blood cells in cultures, has received much less attention from the modelling community. In this paper, we propose the first mathematical model of in vitro erythropoiesis. We start by formulating different models and select the best one at fitting experimental data of in vitro erythropoietic differentiation. It is based on a set of linear ODE, describing 3 hypothetical populations of cells at different stages of differentiation. We then compute confidence intervals for all of its parameters estimates, and conclude that our model is fully identifiable. Finally, we use this model to compute the effect of a chemical drug called Rapamycin, which affects all states of differentiation in the culture, and relate these effects to specific parameter variations. We provide the first model for the kinetics of in vitro cellular differentiation which is proven to be identifiable. It will serve as a basis for a model which will better account for the variability which is inherent to experimental protocol used for the model calibration.

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