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Serotonin is a key factor for mouse red blood cell survival
Pascal Amireault1, Elisa Bayard2, Jean-Marie Launay3
1Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, CNRS UMR 8147, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France ; Laboratoire d'excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France ; Inserm UMR_S665, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France.
Serotonin (5-HT) protects red blood cells (RBCs) from damage and premature removal. Supplementing 5-HT improves RBC survival, highlighting its antioxidant role in blood banking.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Physiology
Background:
- Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized via tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1).
- TPH1 knockout mice exhibit low circulating 5-HT and macrocytic anemia with reduced red blood cell (RBC) half-life.
- The cause of reduced RBC survival in TPH1(-/-) mice was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if reduced RBC half-life in TPH1(-/-) mice is intrinsic or extrinsic.
- To investigate the mechanism of 5-HT's effect on RBC survival.
- To assess 5-HT's potential as an antioxidant in RBC preservation.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of RBC survival in vivo and in vitro between TPH1(-/-) and wild-type mice.
- Analysis of 5-HT receptor expression on isolated RBCs.
- Measurement of plasma antioxidant capacity.
- Evaluation of 5-HT supplementation effects on post-transfusion RBC survival in a blood banking model.
Main Results:
- Both in vivo and in vitro data indicate an extrinsic protective effect of 5-HT on RBCs, preventing senescence.
- No classical 5-HT receptors were found on isolated RBCs, suggesting a non-pharmacological pathway.
- Reduced circulating 5-HT levels correlated with decreased plasma antioxidant capacity.
- 5-HT supplementation enhanced RBC post-transfusion survival in a blood banking model.
Conclusions:
- 5-HT protects RBCs from senescence through an extrinsic, antioxidant mechanism, not via direct receptor activation.
- Low 5-HT levels compromise RBC integrity and survival.
- 5-HT holds potential for improving RBC preservation and transfusion outcomes in blood banking.
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