Loss Of Phosphatidylserine Asymmetry Research Articles

Atp8a1 deletion increases the proliferative activity of hematopoietic stem cells by impairing PTEN function.

The eukaryotic cell plasma membrane contains several asymmetrically distributed phospholipids, which is maintained by the P4-ATPase flippase complex. Herein, we demonstrated the biological effects and mechanisms of asymmetrical loss in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). An Atp8a1 knockout mouse model was employed, from which the HSC (long-term HSCs and short-term HSCs) population was analyzed to assess their abundance and function. Additionally, competitive bone marrow transplantation and 5-FU stress assays were performed. RNA sequencing was performed on Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells, and DNA damage was assayed using immunofluorescence staining and comet electrophoresis. The protein abundance for members of key signaling pathways was confirmed using western blotting. Atp8a1 deletion resulted in slight hyperleukocytosis, associated with the high proliferation of HSCs and BCR/ABL1 transformed leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Atp8a1 deletion increased the repopulation capability of HSCs with a competitive advantage in reconstitution assay. HSCs without Atp8a1 were more sensitive to 5-FU-induced apoptosis. Moreover, Atp8a1 deletion prevented HSC DNA damage and facilitated DNA repair processes. Genes involved in PI3K-AKT-mTORC1, DNA repair, and AP-1 complex signaling were enriched and elevated in HSCs with Atp8a1 deletion. Furthermore, Atp8a1 deletion caused decreased PTEN protein levels, resulting in the activation of PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 signaling, further increasing the activity of JNK/AP-1 signaling and YAP1 phosphorylation. We identified the role of Atp8a1 on hematopoiesis and HSCs. Atp8a1 deletion resulted in the loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry and intracellular signal transduction chaos.

The Distribution and Function of Phosphatidylserine in Cellular Membranes

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the most abundant negatively charged phospholipid in eukaryotic membranes. PS directs the binding of proteins that bear C2 or gamma-carboxyglutamic domains and contributes to the electrostatic association of polycationic ligands with cellular membranes. Rather than being evenly distributed, PS is found preferentially in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and in endocytic membranes. The loss of PS asymmetry is an early indicator of apoptosis and serves as a signal to initiate blood clotting. This review discusses the determinants and functional implications of the subcellular distribution and membrane topology of PS.

Eryptosis in hereditary spherocytosis and thalassemia: role of glycoconjugates

The present work is aimed to study the mechanism of faster erythrocyte clearance in hereditary spherocytosis (HS), a heterogeneous disorders characterized by alterations in the proteins of the red cell membrane skeleton along with different kinds of thalassemia. The maximum exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) is found in HS compared to those in both α- and β-thalassemia. Interestingly, in HS more PS exposed cells were found in younger erythrocytes compared to normal and the thalassemics where aged cells showed higher loss of PS asymmetry. Loss of sialic acid and GlcNAc bearing glycoconjugates, presumably the glycophorins, was also found upon aging. The loss of PS asymmetry together with the cell surface glycoproteins mediated by membrane vesiculation, seemed to play key role in early clearance of erythrocytes from circulation following a mechanism similar to HbEβ-thalassemia.

Porous red cell ultrastructure and loss of membrane asymmetry in a novel case of hemolytic anemia

Transmission electron microscopic study revealed large pores on the erythrocyte ghost membranes, disrupted cytoskeleton and microcytosis of circulating erythrocytes in a novel case of hemolytic anemia. Greater loss of phosphatidylserine (PS) asymmetry was observed in younger erythrocytes compared with the aged ones in contrast to the normal red cells. Levels of sialylated glycoconjugates, such as glycophorin, measured by the binding of wheat germ agglutinin, showed greater loss upon aging. Such drastic loss of PS asymmetry leads to faster eryptosis, mediated by shedding of glycophorin-containing microvesicles leaving highly PS-exposed erythrocytes accessible to the phagocytes.

Phosphatidylserine exposure in B lymphocytes: a role for lipid packing

Plasma membrane lipids are usually distributed asymmetrically, with phosphatidylserine (PS) confined to the inner leaflet. PS exposure at the outer leaflet occurs early in apoptosis, but it is also constitutive on some nonapoptotic cell populations where it plays a role in cell signaling. How PS is transported ("flopped") to the cell surface is unknown. Contrary to previous reports that normal murine B lymphocytes lack lipid asymmetry, we show that PS is normally restricted to the inner leaflet of these cells. PS exposure on normal B cells did, however, occur spontaneously ex vivo. Consistent with the hypothesis that loss of PS asymmetry is regulated by CD45, PS is constitutively exposed on viable, CD45-deficient B cells. We show that calcium-stimulated PS exposure in B cells is strain variable, ABCA1 independent, and both preceded by and dependent on a decrease in lipid packing. This decrease in lipid packing is concomitant with cell shrinkage and consequent membrane distortion, both of which are potently inhibited by blockers of volume-regulatory K+ and Cl- ion channels. Thus, changes in plasma membrane organization precede PS translocation. The data suggest a model in which PS redistribution may occur by a translocase-independent mechanism at energetically favorable sites of membrane perturbation where lipid packing is decreased.

Primaquine-Induced Hemolytic Anemia: Role of Membrane Lipid Peroxidation and Cytoskeletal Protein Alterations in the Hemotoxicity of 5-Hydroxyprimaquine

Primaquine-induced hemolytic anemia is a toxic side effect that is due to premature splenic sequestration of intact erythrocytes. Previous studies have suggested that a phenolic metabolite, 5-hydroxyprimaquine (5-HPQ), mediates primaquine hemotoxicity by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) within erythrocytes that overwhelm antioxidant defenses. However, the nature of the oxidative stress is not understood, and the molecular targets, whether protein and/or lipid, are unknown. To investigate the mechanism underlying the hemolytic activity of 5-HPQ, we have examined the effect of hemolytic concentrations of 5-HPQ on ROS formation within rat erythrocytes using the cellular ROS probe, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluoresein diacetate. In addition, we examined the effect of 5-HPQ on membrane lipids and cytoskeletal proteins. The data indicate that 5-HPQ causes a prolonged, concentration-dependent generation of ROS within erythrocytes. Interestingly, 5-HPQ-generated ROS was not associated with the onset of lipid peroxidation or an alteration in phosphatidylserine asymmetry. Instead, 5-HPQ induced oxidative injury to the erythrocyte cytoskeleton, as evidenced by changes in the normal electrophoretic pattern of membrane ghost proteins. Immunoblotting with an anti-hemoglobin antibody revealed that these changes were due primarily to the formation of disulfide-linked hemoglobin-skeletal protein adducts. The data suggest that cytoskeletal protein damage, rather than membrane lipid peroxidation or loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry, underlies the process of removal of erythrocytes exposed to 5-HPQ.

Ultrasonic low-energy treatment: a novel approach to induce apoptosis in human leukemic cells.

We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of ultrasonic irradiation at low energy on the viability of normal and leukemic cells and the potential mechanisms of action inducing this cytotoxicity. Human leukemia cell lines (K562, HL-60, KG1a, and Nalm-6), primary leukemic cells, and normal mononuclear cells are treated by ultrasound at a frequency of 1.8 MHz during various exposure times (acoustical power of 7 mW/mL) and immediately tested for cell viability by the trypan blue exclusion assay. Apoptosis is evaluated by cell morphology, phosphatidylserine exposure, and DNA fragmentation. The mitochondrial potential, glutathione content, caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and bcl-2/bax ratio are tested by flow cytometry. Cloning efficiency is evaluated by assays in methylcellulose. The technique we describe here, using minute amounts of energy and in the absence of any chemical synergy, specifically triggers apoptosis in leukemic cells while necrosis is significantly reduced. Ultrasonic treatment of 20 seconds' duration induces a series of successive phases showing the characteristic features of apoptosis: mitochondrial transmembrane potential disturbances, loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry, morphological changes, and, finally, DNA fragmentation. In contrast to K562 cells, for which a significant reduction of cloning efficiency is observed, the growth of hematopoietic progenitors is totally unaffected. Ultrasound treatment is also associated with depletion of cellular glutathione content, suggesting a link with the oxidative stress. Moreover, the fact that active oxygen scavengers reduce ultrasonic-induced apoptosis suggests a sonochemical mechanism. The cell damage observed after exposure of leukemic cells to ultrasound is associated with the apoptotic process and may be a promising tool for a smooth, specific, and effective ex vivo purging of leukemic cells.

Etoposide-induced apoptosis in lymphoblastoid leukaemic MOLT-4 cells: evidence that chromatin condensation, loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry and apoptotic body formation can occur independently.

Apoptosis is characterised by a series of typical morphological features, such as nuclear and cellular convolution, chromatin condensation and the final disintegration of the cell into membrane-bound apoptotic bodies, which are phagocytosed, by neighbouring cells. Relocation of phosphatidylserine residues from the inner leaflet of the cellular membrane to being exposed on the cell surface is a necessary event for the phagocytic elimination of apoptotic cell debris. Using the MOLT-4 lymphoblastoid leukaemic cell line we investigated whether the formation of apoptotic bodies and loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry were causally related. We have previously demonstrated that classical apoptotic morphology, including production of apoptotic bodies, was only possible in etoposide-treated MOLT-4 cells when administered in the presence of non-cytotoxic doses (200 microM) of aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA). Electron microscopic analysis, followed by the quantitation of the ultrastructural morphological features of apoptotic MOLT-4 cells, demonstrated that the etoposide and ATA co-treatment, which caused the cellular fragmentation into apoptotic bodies, was closely associated with extensive chromatin condensation in individual cells. In this model however, the addition of ATA to frank cytotoxic doses of etoposide (50 microM), which we confirmed lead to formation of apoptotic bodies, caused no further increase in externalisation of phosphatidylserine moieties as determined by staining with fluorescence labelled annexin V. Consequently, in MOLT-4 cells undergoing etoposide-induced apoptosis, the mole-cular mechanisms leading to loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry and the formation of apoptotic bodies are not causally related.

Early redistribution of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine during apoptosis of adult rat ventricular myocytes in vitro.

In many cell types, DNA fragmentation is a late event of apoptosis which may be lacking. This contrasts with the early translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) from the internal to the external leaflet of the cell membrane. We examined whether an early PS translocation also occurs during apoptosis induced in adult rat ventricular myocytes grown in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. Apoptosis was assessed by the observation of: (i) typical alterations in cell morphology; (ii) nuclear alterations visualized using the permeant intercalating agent Hoechst 33258; (iii) DNA fragmentation detected by the TUNEL method. PS translocation was detected using annexin V binding. Data are expressed as means +/- SEM. Prolonged exposure of myocytes to 10 microM staurosporine from day 3 to day 7 of culture resulted in cell shrinkage, typical nuclear alterations, membrane protrusions and fragmentation of the sarcomeric apparatus in the vast majority of myocytes. At this time, 52.4 +/- 5.7% of staurosporine-treated myocytes were TUNEL positive (vs 6.1 +/- 2.0% in control cultures (CC), p < 0.001) and 69.7 +/- 1.7% were annexin V positive (vs 21.1 +/- 1.0% in CC, p < 0.001). Importantly, PS translocation was detected as early as 35 minutes following staurosporine addition, the percentage of annexin V positive myocytes reaching 10 times the control value (19.2 +/- 2.7 vs 1.8 +/- 0.8%, p < 0.001) after 3 hours. A 18-hour staurosporine exposure of freshly isolated myocytes resulted, at the end of exposure, in 24.3 +/- 1.7% annexin V positive myocytes (vs 9.6 +/- 0.5% in CC, p < 0.05), whereas a marked increase in the percentage of TUNEL positive myocytes was observed only from day 5. Finally, myocyte exposure to the membrane-permeant ceramide analog, C2-ceramide (50 microM), resulted in 63.2 +/- 3.5% annexin V positive myocytes 4 hours later (vs 17.8 +/- 4.4% in CC, p < 0.001), whereas a significant increase in the percentage of TUNEL positive myocytes was detected only the next day (43.7 +/- 3.4 vs 9.9 +/- 1.3%, p < 0.001). Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the loss of PS asymmetry is an early event of cardiac myocyte apoptosis which precedes DNA fragmentation.

Oxidative damage does not alter membrane phospholipid asymmetry in human erythrocytes.

Oxidant-induced damage has been proposed to be the underlying mechanism for loss of membrane phospholipid asymmetry in the erythrocyte membrane. In sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and diabetes as well as in senescent erythrocytes, an apparent correlation between oxidative damage and loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry has been reported. In the present study, erythrocytes were subjected to various levels of oxidative stress and/or sulfhydryl modifying agents. The transmembrane location of phosphatidylserine (PS) was assessed by FITC-conjugated annexin V labeling and the PS-dependent prothrombinase assay. Transbilayer movement of spin-labeled PS was used to determine aminophospholipid translocase activity. Our data show that cells did not expose PS as the result of oxidative stress induced by phenylhydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, or sulfhydryl modification by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and diamide, even under conditions that led to severe cellular damage and impairment of aminophospholipid translocase activity. In contrast, the increase of intracellular calcium induced by treatment with calcium and ionophore A23187 leads to a rapid scrambling of the lipid bilayer and the exposure of PS, which can be exacerbated by the inhibition of aminophospholipid translocase activity. Oxidation of the cells with hydrogen peroxide or phenylhydrazine did not affect A23187-induced uptake of calcium, but partly inhibited calcium-induced membrane scrambling. In conclusion, oxidative damage of erythrocytes does not induce exposure of phosphatidylserine on the membrane surface, but can interfere with both aminophospholipid translocase activity and calcium-induced randomization of membrane phospholipids.