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Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
Increased apoptosis in acquired sideroblastic anaemia
T W Matthes1, G Meyer, K Samii
1Division of Haematology, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. thomas.matthes@hcuge.ch
British Journal of Haematology
|December 21, 2000
Summary
Idiopathic acquired sideroblastic anaemias involve mitochondrial dysfunction and increased apoptosis in red blood cell precursors. This study confirms mitochondria play a role in this cell death process in patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Cell Death Research
Background:
- Idiopathic acquired sideroblastic anaemias (IASAs) are a subtype of myelodysplastic syndromes.
- IASAs are characterized by iron accumulation in mitochondria and ineffective erythropoiesis.
- The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the increased apoptosis of erythroid precursors in IASAs is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the apoptosis of bone marrow precursor cells in patients with IASAs.
- To compare apoptosis markers and mitochondrial function in IASA patients versus normal controls.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow precursor cells from nine IASA patients and five healthy controls were analyzed.
- Assays included caspase 3 activity, Annexin V/7-amino-actinomycin staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) assessment, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production measurement.
Main Results:
- Increased caspase 3 activity and Annexin V-positive cells were observed in IASA samples, correlating with each other.
- Diminished mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was found in erythroid precursors of all IASA patients, correlating with Annexin V positivity.
- No significant difference in ROS production was found between IASA patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically decreased ΔΨm, is implicated in the apoptotic process of erythroid precursors in IASAs.
- The findings suggest a significant role for mitochondria in the pathogenesis of ineffective erythropoiesis in IASA.
- Further research is needed to determine if the mitochondrial defect is primary or secondary to other stimuli.
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