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Updated: May 10, 2026
Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
Published on: January 21, 2020
Stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death by trans-cinnamaldehyde
Michael Theurer1, Nazneen Shaik, Florian Lang
1Department of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Trans-cinnamaldehyde, a component of leaves from Cinnamomum osmophloeum kaneh, has been shown to counteract tumor growth. The substance exerts its effect at least in part by triggering apoptosis. The propapoptotic signaling involves altered gene expression and mitochondrial depolarization. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal death characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine-exposure at the cell surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity ([Ca(2+)]i). The present study explored, whether trans-cinnamaldehyde triggers eryptosis. Cell volume has been estimated from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine-exposure from annexin-V-binding, hemolysis from hemoglobin release, and [Ca(2+)]i from Fluo3-fluorescence. A 48 h exposure to trans-cinnamaldehyde (30 μM) significantly decreased forward scatter and increased annexin-V-binding, effects paralleled by increase of [Ca(2+)]i. Trans-cinnamaldehyde exposure was followed by a slight but significant increase of hemolysis. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) virtually abolished the effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde (30 μM) on annexin-V-binding. The present observations show that trans-cinnamaldehyde triggers suicidal death of erythrocytes, i.e. cells devoid of mitochondria and gene expression.
Insights
Trans-cinnamaldehyde induces suicidal death in erythrocytes, a process known as eryptosis. This occurs via increased intracellular calcium and phosphatidylserine exposure, even in these anucleated cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde, derived from Cinnamomum osmophloeum, inhibits tumor growth by inducing apoptosis.
- Eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes, shares similarities with apoptosis, involving cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine exposure.
- Increased cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]) is a known trigger for eryptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether trans-cinnamaldehyde can induce eryptosis in erythrocytes.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which trans-cinnamaldehyde affects red blood cells.
Main Methods:
- Erythrocytes were exposed to trans-cinnamaldehyde (30 μM) for 48 hours.
- Cell volume was assessed via forward scatter.
- Phosphatidylserine exposure was measured using annexin-V binding.
- Hemolysis was quantified by hemoglobin release.
- Intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]) were determined using Fluo3-fluorescence.
Main Results:
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly reduced cell volume and increased phosphatidylserine exposure.
- These changes were accompanied by an elevation in intracellular calcium levels.
- A slight but significant increase in hemolysis was observed.
- The effects on phosphatidylserine exposure were dependent on extracellular calcium.
Conclusions:
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde triggers eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes.
- This process involves calcium influx and phosphatidylserine externalization.
- Eryptosis can be induced by trans-cinnamaldehyde in cells lacking mitochondria and gene expression.
