Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:15
Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
Published on: January 21, 2020
Arsenic-induced suicidal erythrocyte death
Hasan Mahmud1, Michael Föller, Florian Lang
1Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Gmelinstr. 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Archives of Toxicology
|July 19, 2008
Summary
Arsenic exposure triggers suicidal erythrocyte death (eryptosis) by increasing calcium, ceramide, and depleting ATP. This cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine exposure occurs without red blood cell lysis.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Environmental arsenic exposure is linked to anemia.
- Anemia may arise from suicidal erythrocyte death, known as eryptosis.
- Eryptosis involves red blood cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if arsenic exposure stimulates eryptosis in human erythrocytes.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which arsenic might induce eryptosis.
Main Methods:
- Human erythrocytes were exposed to arsenic trioxide.
- Phosphatidylserine exposure was measured using annexin V-binding.
- Cell volume was assessed by forward scatter.
- Cytosolic calcium levels were determined using Fluo3-fluorescence.
- Ceramide formation was quantified using fluorescent antibodies.
- Intracellular ATP concentration was measured.
- Effects of extracellular calcium removal and amiloride were tested.
Main Results:
- Arsenic trioxide significantly increased phosphatidylserine exposure and cell shrinkage.
- Arsenic significantly elevated cytosolic calcium levels and ceramide formation.
- Arsenic significantly decreased intracellular ATP concentration.
- These effects were attenuated by removing extracellular calcium or using amiloride.
Conclusions:
- Arsenic exposure induces suicidal erythrocyte death (eryptosis).
- Arsenic triggers eryptosis by increasing intracellular calcium, stimulating ceramide formation, and depleting ATP.
- Calcium influx through cation channels plays a key role in arsenic-induced eryptosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
01:46Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...