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A common mechanism may be involved in the selective loss of plasma membrane functions during reticulocyte maturation

R M Johnstone1, J Ahn

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Biomedica Biochimica Acta
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian reticulocytes release exosomes, 50nm bodies, during maturation. These exosomes carry transferrin receptors and other plasma membrane activities, suggesting a mechanism for red blood cell size reduction and activity shedding.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Hematology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Reticulocytes mature into erythrocytes, losing specific cellular activities.
  • Exosomes, small vesicles, are released during this maturation process.
  • These exosomes are known to contain transferrin receptors (TFR).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the contents of exosomes released during reticulocyte maturation.
  • To determine if other plasma membrane activities are co-packaged with TFR in these exosomes.
  • To explore the physiological relevance of exosome release in red blood cell maturation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized antibody-coated iron core beads to isolate exosomes.
  • Characterized the molecular cargo of isolated exosomes using specific markers.
  • Detected exosomes in the circulation of phlebotomized animals.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes containing transferrin receptors (TFR) also package nucleoside transporter and acetylcholine esterase activities.
  • This specific population of exosomes is devoid of lysosomal enzymes.
  • Exosomes were identified in the blood of multiple animal species following phlebotomy.

Conclusions:

  • Exosome formation is a natural process during mammalian red blood cell maturation.
  • Exosomes likely facilitate the reduction in red blood cell size.
  • Specific plasma membrane activities are shed via exosomes during erythrocyte development.

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