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Membrane fluidity and adherence to extracellular matrix components are related to blast cell count in acute myeloid
Abstract:
The level of blast cells in peripheral blood in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) varies in individual patients. The bone marrow egress of hematopoietic cells is an unclear phenomenon in which cell deformability and cytoadhesion to the extracellular matrix are involved. One component of deformability is the membrane fluidity. Using fluorescence polarization, we have studied the fluidity of blast cell membranes from 22 AML patients. This membrane was found to be highly fluid and a statistically significant correlation was found between the increase in membrane fluidity and the number of blast cells in the blood. Studying interaction between blast cells and several components of bone marrow stroma, we found adhesion to fibronectin and fibroblastic extracellular matrix. Adhesion to the extracellular matrix was inversally correlated to the level of blast cells in the blood. The observed increase in membrane fluidity and reduction of adhesion to bone marrow stroma may result in an increase of blast cells egress in AML.
Insights
Increased membrane fluidity and reduced extracellular matrix adhesion in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blast cells correlate with higher blast cell counts in the blood, potentially explaining their egress from bone marrow.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The egress of blast cells from bone marrow in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not fully understood.
- Cell deformability and adhesion to the extracellular matrix are implicated in this process.
- Membrane fluidity is a key factor in cell deformability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the membrane fluidity of blast cells in AML patients.
- To examine the adhesion properties of AML blast cells to bone marrow stroma components.
- To correlate these properties with the level of blast cells in peripheral blood.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence polarization was used to measure membrane fluidity in blast cells from 22 AML patients.
- In vitro studies assessed the adhesion of blast cells to fibronectin and fibroblastic extracellular matrix.
- Statistical analysis correlated membrane fluidity and adhesion with blood blast cell counts.
Main Results:
- AML blast cell membranes exhibited significantly increased fluidity.
- A positive correlation was found between increased membrane fluidity and blood blast cell levels.
- Adhesion to fibronectin and extracellular matrix was inversely correlated with blood blast cell counts.
Conclusions:
- Increased membrane fluidity and reduced extracellular matrix adhesion may facilitate blast cell egress in AML.
- These findings offer insights into the mechanisms driving leukemic cell dissemination.