Prostaglandin E2 activates channel-mediated calcium entry in human erythrocytes: an indication for a blood clot formation supporting process.
Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is released from platelets when they are activated. Using fluorescence imaging and the patch-clamp technique, we provide evidence that PGE(2) at physiological concentrations (10(-10) M) activates calcium rises mediated by calcium influx through a non-selective cation-channel in human red blood cells. The extent of calcium increase varied between cells with a total of 45% of the cells responding. It is well known that calcium increases elicited the calcium-activated potassium channel (Gardos channel) in the red cell membrane. Previously, it was shown that the Gardos channel activation results in potassium efflux and shrinkage of the cells. Therefore, we conclude that the PGE(2) responses of red blood cells described here reveal a direct and active participation of erythrocytes in blood clot formation.
Kaestner
Lars
L
Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Building 61, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. biophysics@web.de
Tabellion
Wiebke
W
Lipp
Peter
P
Bernhardt
Ingolf
I
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D002412:Cations; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D020521:Stroke; D013997:Time Factors; D014966:Xanthenes / Q000494:pharmacology
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D015220:Calcium Channels; D002412:Cations; C409648:Fluo 4; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007477:Ions; D014966:Xanthenes; D015232:Dinoprostone; D002118:Calcium