title: KCl cotransport mediates abnormal sulfhydryl-dependent volume regulation in sickle reticulocytes.
abstract: KCl cotransport (KCC) activation by cell swelling and pH was compared in sickle (SS) and normal (AA) red blood cells (RBCs). KCC fluxes had the same relationship to mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in SS and AA RBCs when normalized to the maximal volume-stimulated (VS(max)) flux (MCHC < 270 g/L [27 g/dL]). Acid-stimulated (pH 6.9) KCC flux in SS RBCs was 60% to 70% of VS(max) KCC versus 20% in AA RBCs. Density gradients were used to track changes in reticulocyte MCHC during KCC-mediated regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Swelling to MCHC of 260 g/L (26 g/dL) produced Cl-dependent RVD that resulted in higher MCHC in SS than AA reticulocytes. In acid pH, RVD was also greater in SS than AA reticulocytes. Sulfhydryl reduction by dithiothreitol (DTT) lowered VS(max) KCC flux in AA and SS RBCs by one third but did not alter swelling-induced RVD. DTT lowered acid-activated KCC in SS RBCs by 50% and diminished acid-induced RVD in SS reticulocytes. Thus, swelling activation of KCC is normal in SS RBCs but KCC-mediated RVD produces higher MCHC in SS than AA reticulocytes. Acid activation of KCC is exaggerated in SS RBCs and causes dehydration in SS reticulocytes. KCC response to acid stimulation was mitigated by DTT, suggesting that it arises from sulfhydryl oxidation.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. clint.joiner@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Clinton H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.forename: R Kirk
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rettig
authors.forename: Maorong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D001692:Biological Transport; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism*; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000502:physiology*; D027981:Symporters / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D027981:Symporters; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D004229:Dithiothreitol