Chloride Gradient Is Involved in Ammonium Influx in Human Erythrocytes

The ammonia/ammonium (NH₃/NH₄⁺, AM) concentration in human erythrocytes (RBCs) is significantly higher than in plasma. Two main possible mechanisms for AM transport, including simple and facilitated diffusion, are described; however, the driving force for AM transport is not yet fully characterized. Since the erythroid ammonium channel RhAG forms a structural unit with anion exchanger 1 (eAE1) within the ankyrin core complex, we hypothesized the involvement of eAE1 in AM transport. To evaluate the functional interaction between eAE1 and RhAG, we used a unique feature of RBCs to swell and lyse in isotonic NH₄⁺ buffer. The kinetics of cell swelling and lysis were analyzed by flow cytometry and an original laser diffraction method, adapted for accurate volume sensing. The eAE1 role was revealed according to (i) the changes in cell swelling and lysis kinetics, and (ii) changes in intracellular pH, triggered by eAE1 inhibition or the modulation of eAE1 main ligand concentrations (Cl^- and HCO₃^-). Additionally, the AM import kinetics was analyzed enzymatically and colorimetrically. In NH₄⁺ buffer, RBCs concentration-dependently swelled and lysed when [NH₄⁺] exceeded 100 mM. Cell swelling and hemolysis were tightly regulated by chloride concentration. The complete substitution of chloride with glutamate prevented NH₄⁺-induced cell swelling and hemolysis, and the restoration of [Cl^-] dose-dependently amplified the rates of RBC swelling and lysis and the percentage of hemolyzed cells. Similarly, eAE1 inhibition impeded cell swelling and completely prevented hemolysis. Accordingly, eAE1 inhibition, or a lack of chloride anions in the buffer, significantly decreased NH₄⁺ import. Our data indicate that the eAE1-mediated chloride gradient is required for AM transport. Taken together, our data reveal a new player in AM transport in RBCs.