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Macrophage recognition of saccharide chains on the erythrocytes damaged by iron-catalyzed oxidation

M Beppu1, T Takahashi, M Kashiwada

  • 1Tokyo College of Pharmacy, Japan.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|July 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Macrophages recognize oxidized erythrocytes through specific sugar structures on their surface. Sialosaccharide chains on glycophorin A are key for resident macrophages, while poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains on band 3 are involved in recognition by both resident and induced macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Macrophages play a crucial role in clearing aged or damaged cells, including oxidized erythrocytes.
  • The specific molecular mechanisms by which macrophages recognize oxidized erythrocytes are not fully understood.
  • Oxidation of erythrocytes can alter their surface glycoproteins, potentially creating recognition sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular determinants on oxidized erythrocytes recognized by mouse macrophages.
  • To differentiate the recognition mechanisms employed by resident versus thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages.
  • To identify specific carbohydrate structures involved in macrophage recognition of oxidized erythrocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Oxidation of mouse erythrocytes using ADP/Fe3+ chelate.
  • Co-incubation of oxidized erythrocytes with mouse resident and thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages.
  • Inhibition assays using various carbohydrate structures, glycoproteins, and enzymatic treatments.
  • Analysis of cell surface components and their role in macrophage recognition.

Main Results:

  • Macrophages recognized ADP/Fe3+-oxidized erythrocytes in a serum-free environment.
  • Disulfide bond formation partially mediates the recognition of oxidized erythrocytes.
  • Sialosaccharide chains, particularly on glycophorin A, are critical for resident macrophage recognition.
  • Poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl saccharide chains, possibly on band 3 glycoprotein, contribute to recognition by both macrophage types.
  • Phosphatidylserine was not identified as a major recognition determinant.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage recognition of oxidized erythrocytes involves specific carbohydrate moieties on altered membrane glycoproteins.
  • Resident macrophages primarily recognize sialosaccharide chains, while both resident and induced macrophages recognize poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl chains.
  • Erythrocyte oxidation induces changes in glycoproteins, making their saccharide chains accessible for macrophage recognition.

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