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Erythrocyte-derived ectosomes have immunosuppressive properties

Salima Sadallah1, Ceylan Eken, Jürg A Schifferli

  • 1Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. salima.sadallah@unibas.ch

Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|August 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Erythrocyte-derived microparticles (E-ecto) from stored blood exhibit immunosuppressive properties. These microparticles inhibit macrophage activation, potentially explaining the immunosuppressive effects of blood transfusions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Clinical studies indicate blood transfusions possess immunosuppressive qualities.
  • While leukocyte-derived factors are known contributors, erythrocyte-derived microparticles' role remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential immunosuppressive role of microparticles released by erythrocytes during blood storage.
  • To characterize these erythrocyte-derived ectosomes (E-ecto) and their interaction with the immune system.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of E-ecto for ectosome properties (size, lipid membrane, protein sorting).
  • Assessed complement activation (C1q, C3 fixation) and phosphatidylserine expression on E-ecto.
  • In vitro studies involving macrophage uptake of E-ecto and measurement of inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-alpha, IL-8) upon stimulation.

Main Results:

  • E-ecto demonstrated characteristics of ectosomes and initiated complement activation.
  • E-ecto expressed phosphatidylserine, suggesting immune regulatory potential.
  • Macrophages incubated with E-ecto showed significantly inhibited activation by zymosan A and LPS, with 80% and 76% reduction in TNF-alpha and IL-8, respectively.
  • This inhibitory effect was sustained for at least 24 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Erythrocyte-derived ectosomes (E-ecto) possess immunosuppressive properties by interfering with innate immune responses.
  • E-ecto may contribute to the observed immunosuppression associated with blood transfusions.

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