Lamellar membranes associated with rhoptries in erythrocytic merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi: a clue to the mechanism of invasion

SUMMARYIn merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi, rhoptries have a dense substructure of fine (2·5 nm diameter) granules and short rods. These are not altered by lipid extraction, and stain with ethanolic phosphotungstate indicating a proteinaceous composition. Various types of fixation also show multilamellar whorls with a periodicity of 5–7 rim in the tips of rhoptries or extruded at the merozoite apex. In merozoites fixed during invasions of red cells, membrane continuity typically occurs between the rim of the rhoptry canal and the red cell membrane, but where this contact has apparently been lost, extensive membranous whorls and blebs are often found at the apex of the parasite. Similar structures occur at the spices of merozoites within late-stage schizonts. It is suggested that the same mechanism which generates these lamellae forms the parasitophorous vacuole by inserting membranous elements formed by the parasite into the red cell membrane, so causing its invagination. A similar mechanism may be responsible for the release of merozoites from the late-stage schizont.

Download Full-text

Red Cell Membrane Permeability Deduced from Bulk Diffusion Coefficients

The Journal of General Physiology ◽

10.1085/jgp.64.6.706 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 706-729 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

W. R. Redwood ◽

E. Rall ◽

W. Perl

Keyword(s):

Cell Membrane ◽

Membrane Permeability ◽

Diffusion Coefficients ◽

Bulk Diffusion ◽

Red Cells ◽

Cell Membrane Permeability ◽

Red Cell ◽

Cell Column ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

One Dimensional

The permeability coefficients of dog red cell membrane to tritiated water and to a series of[14C]amides have been deduced from bulk diffusion measurements through a "tissue" composed of packed red cells. Red cells were packed by centrifugation inside polyethylene tubing. The red cell column was pulsed at one end with radiolabeled solute and diffusion was allowed to proceed for several hours. The distribution of radioactivity along the red cell column was measured by sequential slicing and counting, and the diffusion coefficient was determined by a simple plotting technique, assuming a one-dimensional diffusional model. In order to derive the red cell membrane permeability coefficient from the bulk diffusion coefficient, the red cells were assumed to be packed in a regular manner approximating closely spaced parallelopipeds. The local steady-state diffusional flux was idealized as a one-dimensional intracellular pathway in parallel with a one-dimensional extracellular pathway with solute exchange occurring within the series pathway and between the pathways. The diffusion coefficients in the intracellular and extracellular pathways were estimated from bulk diffusion measurements through concentrated hemoglobin solutions and plasma, respectively; while the volume of the extracellular pathway was determined using radiolabeled sucrose. The membrane permeability coefficients were in satisfactory agreement with the data of Sha'afi, R. I., C. M. Gary-Bobo, and A. K. Solomon (1971. J. Gen. Physiol. 58:238) obtained by a rapid-reaction technique. The method is simple and particularly well suited for rapidly permeating solutes.

Download Full-text

Inhibition of malarial parasite invasion by monoclonal antibodies against glycophorin A correlates with reduction in red cell membrane deformability

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v74.5.1836.1836 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 1836-1843 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

G Pasvol ◽

JA Chasis ◽

N Mohandas ◽

DJ Anstee ◽

MJ Tanner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Red Cells ◽

Malarial Parasite ◽

Glycophorin A ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Parasite Invasion ◽

Surface Molecules ◽

Fab Fragments

Abstract The effect of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies to red cell surface molecules on the invasion of human red cells by the malarial parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi was examined. Antibodies to glycophorin A (GP alpha) inhibit invasion for both parasite species, and this is highly correlated with the degree to which they decrease red cell membrane deformability as measured by ektacytometry. This effect on rigidity and invasion was also seen with monovalent Fab fragments. The closer the antibody binding site was to the membrane bilayer, the greater was its effect on inducing membrane rigidity and decreasing parasite invasion. Antibodies to the Wright determinant in particular were the most inhibitory. This differential effect of the various antibodies was not correlated with their binding affinities or the number of sites bound per cell. Antibodies to surface molecules other than GP alpha were without effect. A novel mechanism is described whereby monoclonal antibodies and their Fab fragments directed at determinants on the external surface of red cells might act to inhibit invasion by malarial parasites by altering membrane material properties.

Download Full-text

Modulating the red cell membrane to produce universal/stealth donor red cells suitable for transfusion

Vox Sanguinis ◽

10.1111/j.1423-0410.2007.01003.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 071127145052003-??? ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

G. Garratty

Keyword(s):

Cell Membrane ◽

Red Cells ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Membrane

Download Full-text

Altered plasma membrane phospholipid organization in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v69.2.401.bloodjournal692401 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 401-407

Author(s):

RS Schwartz ◽

JA Olson ◽

C Raventos-Suarez ◽

M Yee ◽

RH Heath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Early Stage ◽

Red Cells ◽

Membrane Phospholipid ◽

Cell Membrane Permeability ◽

Parasite Development ◽

Red Cell ◽

Membrane Phospholipids ◽

Red Cell Membrane

The intraerythrocytic development of the malaria parasite is accompanied by distinct morphological and biochemical changes in the host cell membrane, yet little is known about development-related alterations in the transbilayer organization of membrane phospholipids in parasitized cells. This question was examined in human red cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Normal red cells were infected with strain FCR3 or with clonal derivatives that either produce (K+) or do not produce (K-) knobby protuberances on the infected red cells. Parasitized cells were harvested at various stages of parasite development, and the bilayer orientation of red cell membrane phospholipids was determined chemically using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) or enzymatically using bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and sphingomyelinase C (SMC). We found that parasite development was accompanied by distinct alterations in the red cell membrane transbilayer distribution of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS). Increases in the exoplasmic membrane leaflet exposure of PE and PS were larger in the late-stage parasitized cells than in the early-stage parasitized cells. Similar results were obtained for PE membrane distribution using either chemical (TNBS) or enzymatic (PLA2 plus SMC) methods, although changes in PS distribution were observed only with TNBS. Uninfected cohort cells derived from mixed populations of infected and uninfected cells exhibited normal patterns of membrane phospholipid organization. The observed alterations in P falciparum-infected red cell membrane phospholipid distribution, which is independent of the presence or absence of knobby protuberances, might be associated with the drastic changes in cell membrane permeability and susceptibility to early hemolysis observed in the late stages of parasite development.

Download Full-text

Lipid analyses and fluidity studies by electron spin resonance of red cell membranes in hereditary high red cell membrane phosphatidylcholine hemolytic anemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v64.5.1129.1129 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 1129-1134 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Y Yawata ◽

T Sugihara ◽

M Mori ◽

S Nakashima ◽

Y Nozawa

Keyword(s):

Electron Spin Resonance ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Membrane Fluidity ◽

Hemolytic Anemia ◽

Electron Spin ◽

Order Parameter ◽

Red Cells ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Spin Resonance

Abstract Membrane lipid analyses and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of membrane fluidity were carried out on the red cells of a Japanese patient with hereditary high red cell membrane phosphatidylcholine hemolytic anemia (HPCHA). Increased amounts of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol were found in the membrane lipids of the affected patient, despite normal plasma lipids. The order parameter of cholesterol-free pure phospholipid liposomes prepared from this patient's red cells was decreased, apparently because of the increased PC. In contrast, the order parameter of the total red cell lipid liposomes (containing free cholesterol) was essentially normal. The overall fluidity of the intact red cells was determined by ESR with a spin probe, 5-SAL. Again, the order parameters were normal in the intact red cells of the patient with HPCHA. This suggests that the concomitant increase of membrane cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine serves to maintain normal membrane fluidity in the HPCHA red cells.

Download Full-text

Altered plasma membrane phospholipid organization in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v69.2.401.401 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 401-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

RS Schwartz ◽

JA Olson ◽

C Raventos-Suarez ◽

M Yee ◽

RH Heath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Early Stage ◽

Red Cells ◽

Membrane Phospholipid ◽

Cell Membrane Permeability ◽

Parasite Development ◽

Red Cell ◽

Membrane Phospholipids ◽

Red Cell Membrane

Abstract The intraerythrocytic development of the malaria parasite is accompanied by distinct morphological and biochemical changes in the host cell membrane, yet little is known about development-related alterations in the transbilayer organization of membrane phospholipids in parasitized cells. This question was examined in human red cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Normal red cells were infected with strain FCR3 or with clonal derivatives that either produce (K+) or do not produce (K-) knobby protuberances on the infected red cells. Parasitized cells were harvested at various stages of parasite development, and the bilayer orientation of red cell membrane phospholipids was determined chemically using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) or enzymatically using bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and sphingomyelinase C (SMC). We found that parasite development was accompanied by distinct alterations in the red cell membrane transbilayer distribution of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS). Increases in the exoplasmic membrane leaflet exposure of PE and PS were larger in the late-stage parasitized cells than in the early-stage parasitized cells. Similar results were obtained for PE membrane distribution using either chemical (TNBS) or enzymatic (PLA2 plus SMC) methods, although changes in PS distribution were observed only with TNBS. Uninfected cohort cells derived from mixed populations of infected and uninfected cells exhibited normal patterns of membrane phospholipid organization. The observed alterations in P falciparum-infected red cell membrane phospholipid distribution, which is independent of the presence or absence of knobby protuberances, might be associated with the drastic changes in cell membrane permeability and susceptibility to early hemolysis observed in the late stages of parasite development.

Download Full-text

Erythrophagocytosis by the Epithelial Cells of the Bladder

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.15.3.555 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 555-573

Author(s):

J. ST J. WAKEFIELD ◽

R. M. HICKS

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Cell Membrane ◽

Red Cells ◽

Transitional Epithelium ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Blood Capillaries ◽

Methane Sulphonate ◽

Epithelial Tumours ◽

Membrane Changes

N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), methyl methane sulphonate (MMS), ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and cyclophosphamide (CP) are all cytotoxic to the transitional epithelium lining the urinary bladder, and also cause haemorrhage from the subepithelial blood capillaries. Erythrocytes enter the epithelium and are phagocytosed by the epithelial cells where they are subsequently digested. Two other compounds, dibutyl nitrosamine (DBN) and N-(4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl)-formamide (NFTF) are only mildly cytotoxic but produce bladder epithelial tumours. Where haemorrhage occurs in these tumours, the erythrocytes are phagocytosed and digested by the neoplastic epithelial cells. The ingested red cells appear to lie free in the epithelial cell cytoplasm, surrounded by only a single unit membrane. Densitometric tracings, however, show that this membrane is derived from the epithelial cells and that the red cells lie within a phagocytic vacuole. Careful inspection reveals the red cell membrane within the dense content of the vacuole, indicating that the permeability of the red cell membrane changes rapidly as soon as it is engulfed, so that haemoglobin is released into the phagocytic vacuole. The contents of the vacuole disintegrate and myelin figures and small amounts of residual dense material appear, but at no time was it possible to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity associated with the vacuole.

Download Full-text

Haemolytic anaemia—congenital and acquired

Oxford Textbook of Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.220509 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 4450-4460

Author(s):

Amy Powers ◽

Leslie Silberstein ◽

Frank J. Strobl

Keyword(s):

Cell Membrane ◽

Membrane Damage ◽

Reticuloendothelial System ◽

Erythrocyte Deformability ◽

Red Cells ◽

Red Cell ◽

Metabolic Abnormalities ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Cell Membrane Damage ◽

Membrane Defects

Premature destruction of red cells occurs through two primary mechanisms: (1) decreased erythrocyte deformability that leads to red-cell sequestration and extravascular haemolysis in the spleen and other components of the reticuloendothelial system—may be caused by membrane defects, metabolic abnormalities, exogenous oxidizing agents, or pathological antibodies; (2) red-cell membrane damage and intravascular haemolysis—may be caused by exposure to pathological antibodies, activated complement, mechanical forces, chemicals, and infectious agents....

Download Full-text

Red cell–bound antibodies and transfusion requirements in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.2020006695 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (6) ◽

pp. 766-768 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alessandra Berzuini ◽

Cristiana Bianco ◽

Cinzia Paccapelo ◽

Francesco Bertolini ◽

Giuliana Gregato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Membrane ◽

Red Cells ◽

Direct Antiglobulin Test ◽

Red Cell ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Transfusion Requirements ◽

Antiglobulin Test ◽

Test Cells ◽

Positive Direct ◽

Antigenic Epitopes

Berzuini et al report the observation that nearly half of patients with COVID-19 tested at their blood center had a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). However, eluates did not react with any test cells but did react with red cells from other patients with COVID-19 that were DAT negative. This suggests that COVID-19 may modulate the red cell membrane and present novel antigenic epitopes.

Download Full-text