Phenazine methosulphate-treated red blood cells activate NF-κB and upregulate endothelial ICAM-1 expression

Area of Science:

• Biomedical science
• Cellular biology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Enhanced Red Blood Cell (RBC)-Endothelial Cell (EC) interactions are implicated in RBC-linked pathologies.
• Oxidatively modified RBCs are increasingly recognized as pathogenic factors in diseases with systemic oxidative stress.
• The specific impact of oxidized RBCs on EC activation remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific effects of oxidized RBCs on EC activation.
• To explore the impact of oxidized RBCs on intracellular signaling pathways in ECs.
• To determine the role of oxidized RBCs in promoting EC activation and associated cellular stress responses.

Main Methods:

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs) were subjected to oxidative stress using phenazine methosulphate (PMS).
• Oxidized RBCs were co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
• EC activation was assessed by measuring surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and activation of the transcription factor NF-κB.

Main Results:

• Interaction between oxidatively modified RBCs and HUVECs induced EC activation.
• Increased surface expression of ICAM-1 was observed on HUVECs following interaction with oxidized RBCs.
• Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, a marker of cellular oxidant stress, was detected in HUVECs.

Conclusions:

• Oxidatively modified RBCs specifically contribute to endothelial cell activation.
• The interaction promotes increased expression of adhesion molecules and activation of stress-responsive transcription factors.
• These findings suggest a potential pathological role for oxidized RBCs in vascular diseases associated with oxidative stress.