The effects of obesity on CD47 expression in erythrocytes

To investigate the effects of obesity on CD47, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, and Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 activities in erythrocytes.

The study included 25 morbidly obese patients and 20 healthy people as the control group. We evaluated CD47 expression on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane surface and eryptosis markers such as PS externalization and caspase activity using flow cytometric analyses.

CD47 expression on the RBC surface was significantly lower in obese patients than in the control group (P = 0.000001). We did not find significant differences in the Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 activities between the obese and nonobese control groups. Additionally, we did not find differences in PS exposure on erythrocyte membranes. The fibrinogen levels were higher in the obese group than they were in the control group (P = 0.00002). Correlations between CD47 expression and body mass index (r = -0.65; P = 0.0004), waist circumference (r = -0.54; P = 0.0052), and fibrinogen (r = 0.57; P = 0.0024) were found. Univariate analyses revealed that body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and fibrinogen levels were potential predictors of CD47 expression. Multivariate analyses found that fibrinogen levels (β = 0.4708; P = 0.045) independently predicted CD47 expression.

The study demonstrated that CD47 expression is decreased on the surface of RBCs in obese subjects. These changes in CD47 expression on the RBC surface may be an adaptive response to hyperfibrinogenemia associated with obesity. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.