Platelet and red blood cell phagocytosis kinetics are differentially controlled by phosphatase activity within mononuclear cells.
BACKGROUND
Anti-D treatment is effective in increasing platelet (PLT) counts in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP); however, the exact mechanism of action is unknown. Previous results have suggested that anti-D-coated red blood cells (RBCs) affect reticuloendothelial system phagocytosis by stimulating agents (e.g., reactive oxygen species) that alter signaling pathways within the phagocyte. To address this, a flow cytometric assay was used to compare the kinetics and signaling pathways responsible for opsonized PLT and RBC phagocytosis.


METHODS
Human RBCs or PLTs were labeled with the fluorescent dye CM-Green, opsonized with Rh immune globulin or anti-MHC, respectively, and incubated with THP-1 monocytes with or without signal transduction inhibitors and intracellular fluorescence was analyzed.


RESULTS
Compared with opsonized PLTs, phagocytosis of opsonized RBCs was significantly slower (p<0.0001) and, within 2 hours, induced a state of phagocytic refractoriness; resting the mononuclear cells (MNCs) for up to 24 hours did not rescue their ability to further mediate PLT phagocytosis. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (wortmannin, LY294002, myricetin, and quercetin), protein kinase C (staurosporine), and Syk kinase (piceatannol) inhibited both opsonized RBC and opsonized PLT phagocytosis. In contrast, opsonized RBC phagocytosis was significantly (p<0.0001) enhanced by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor phenyl arsine oxide, whereas PLT phagocytosis was significantly reduced (p<0.0001). Of interest, phosphatase inhibition during opsonized RBC phagocytosis induced a longer (48 hr) phagocytic refractoriness period in the MNCs.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the early kinetics and signaling events related to phosphatase activity regulate how mononuclear phagocytes engulf opsonized RBCs and induce phagocytic refractoriness for further PLT phagocytosis.
Aslam
Rukhsana
R
Department of Laboratory Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, the Department of Pharmacology, and the Laboratory of Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kim
Michael
M
Speck
Edwin R
ER
Seetanah
Arjuna Contram
AC
Molinski
Steven
S
Freedman
John
J
Semple
John W
JW
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases