The Fusability of Erythrocytes as a Method for Evaluating the Instability of Their Membranes

Yury A. Sheremet’ev, Aleksandra N. Popovicheva, Methun M. Rogozin, Gregory Y. Levin

Nizhny Novgorod Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Ortopedics, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

DOI: 10.4236/ojbiphy.2013.33023                

Abstract

A novel approach to the study of erythrocytes instability based on assessment fusability of their plasma membrane is presented. The fusability of erythrocytes normal blood, stored for 7 days at 4°C, and type 2 patients with diabetes were studied. Human erythrocytes were fused by incubation with La³⁺ at final concentrations from 50 to 200 μM. Erythrocytes aggregates were incubated at 37°C for 120 min. The fusability of erythrocytes was evaluated using a light microscope. It was shown that La³⁺ induced extensive fusion of erythrocytes after 7 days of blood storage and erythrocytes of patients with diabetes. Incubation of normal erythrocytes at 37°C for 120 min does not induce cell fusion.

Keywords

Erythrocytes; Fusability; Membrane Instability; La³⁺

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	J. A. Lucy, “The Fusion of Biological Membranes,” Nature, Vol. 227, No. 5260, 1970, pp. 815-817. doi:10.1038/227815a0
[2]	J. A. Lucy, “Mechanisms of Chemically Induced Cell Fusion,” Membrane Fusion (Cell Surface Reviews), Vol. 5, 1978, pp. 267-304.
[3]	Yu. A. Sheremet’ev and A. V. Sheremet’eva, “The Effect of Intracellular ATP Content on the La3+-Induced Aggregation and Fusion of Human Erythrocytes,” Biophysics, Vol.47, No.2, 2002, pp. 288-291.
[4]	Y. A. Ermakov, K. Kamarajau, K. Sengupta and S. Sukharev, “Gadolinium Ions Block Mechanosensitive Channels by Altering the Packing and Lateral Pressure of Anionic Lipids,” Biophysical Journal, Vol. 98, No. 6, 2010, pp. 1018-1027. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2009.11.044
[5]	J. Bentz, O. Alford, J. Cohen and N. Duzgunes, “La3+Induced Fusion of Phosphatidylserine Liposomes. Close Approach, Intramembrane Intermediates, and the Electrostatic Surface Potencial,” Biophysical Journal, Vol. 53, No. 4, 1988, pp. 593-607. doi:10.1016/S0006-3495(88)83138-2
[6]	E. K. Tullius, P. Williamson and R. A. Schlegel, “Effect of Transbilayer Phospholipids Distribution on Erythrocyte Fusion,” Bioscience Reports, Vol. 9, No. 5, 1989, pp. 623-633. doi:10.1007/BF01119806
[7]	D. Bratosin, J. Estaquier, F. Petit, D. Arnoult, B. Quatannens, J.-P. Tissier, C. Slomianny, C. Sartiaux, A. Alonso, J.-J. Huart, J. Montreuil and J. C. Amelsen, “Programmed Cell Death in Mature Erythrocytes: A Model for Investigating Death Effector Pathways Operating in the Absence of Mitochondia,” Cell Death and Differentiation, Vol. 8, No. 12, 2001, pp. 1143-1156. doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4400946
[8]	K. S. Lang, P. A. Lang, C. Bauer, C. Duranton, T. Wieder, S. Huber and F. Lang, “Mechanisms of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death,” Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, Vol. 15, No. 5, 2005, pp. 195-202. doi:10.1159/000086406
[9]	C. B. Johansson, S. Youssef, K. Koleckar, C. Holbrook, R. Doyonnas, S. Y. Colber, L. Steinman, F. M. Rossi and H. M. Blan, “Extensive Fusion of Haematopoietic Cells with Purkinje Neurons in Response to Chronic Inflammation,” Natural Cell Biology, Vol. 10, No. 5, 2008, pp. 575-583. doi:10.1038/ncb1720
[10]	J. L. Spees, S. D. Olson, J. Ylostalo, P. J. Lynch, J. Smith, A. Perry, A. Peister , M. Y. Wang and D. J. Prockor, “Differentiation, Cell Fusion, and Nuclear Fusion during ex vivo Repair of Epithelium by Human Adult Stem Cells from Bone Marrow Stroma,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Vol. 100, No. 5, 2003, pp. 23397-23402. doi:10.1073/pnas.0437997100
[11]	G. M. D’Amici, S. Rinalducci and L. Zolla, “Proteomic Analysis of RBC Membrane Protein Degradation during Blood Storage,” Journal of Proteome Research, Vol. 6, No. 8, 2007, pp. 3242-3255. doi:10.1021/pr070179d
[12]	J. V. Calderon-Salinas, E. G. Munos-Reyes, J. F. Guerrero-Romero, M. Rodriguez-Moran, R. L. Bracho-Riquelme, M. A. Carrera-Gracia and M. A. Quintanar-Escorza, “Eryptosis and Oxidative Damage in Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease,” Molecular Cellular Biochemistry, Vol. 357, No. 1-2, 2011, pp. 171-179. doi:10.1007/s11010-011-0887-1