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Updated: May 6, 2026
09:15
Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
Published on: January 21, 2020
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Tannic acid induced suicidal erythrocyte death
Majed Abed1, Tabea Herrmann, Kousi Alzoubi
1Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Summary
Tannic acid induces eryptosis, a suicidal death in erythrocytes, by increasing ceramide. This process involves cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine exposure, potentially mediated by calcium signaling.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Tannic acid, a polyphenol, exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a known mechanism against tumor growth.
- Eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes, shares similarities with apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of tannic acid on eryptosis.
- To elucidate the role of calcium and ceramide in tannic acid-induced eryptosis.
Main Methods:
- Erythrocyte volume assessed via forward scatter.
- Phosphatidylserine exposure measured by annexin V binding.
- Ceramide levels quantified using fluorescent antibodies.
Main Results:
- Tannic acid decreased erythrocyte volume and increased phosphatidylserine exposure.
- Tannic acid significantly elevated ceramide formation.
- Extracellular calcium absence partially inhibited tannic acid-induced phosphatidylserine exposure.
Conclusions:
- Tannic acid stimulates eryptosis in erythrocytes.
- Ceramide formation plays a role in tannic acid-induced eryptosis.
- Eryptosis induced by tannic acid is partially dependent on extracellular calcium.
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