Détermination des caractéristiques électrophysiologiques, de l'identité moléculaire, de la régulation et du rôle physiologique/patho-physiologique des canaux anioniques de la membrane des érythrocytes

Red blood cells are a classic model system for studying how ions, nutrients and other solutes cross the plasma membrane. Molecular identity, regulation and physiological role of anionic channels are unclear, in spite of the evidences of their involvement in the physiological process of senescence of RBCs, as well as in pathological conditions such as sickle cell disease or malaria. The present work, using patch-clamp electrophysiological technique and biochemical assays shows that: 1/ The diversity of anionic channel activities recorded in normal, as well as in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes, corresponds to different kinetic modalities of a unique type of maxi-anion channel with multiply conductance levels, gating properties and pharmacology, depending on conditions. 2/ The molecular identity of these anionic channels corresponds to the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), one of the component of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) present in the RBCs membrane. 3/ The dormant, endogenous VDAC becomes the "new permeability pathways" in infected erythrocytes after up-regulation by P.falciparum and is modulated by the Ring-infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen (RESA), protein exported by the parasite to the host RBC membrane. Finally, the present work contributes to the understanding of the specific role played by the ionic channels in the RBCs membrane, both in health and disease. It shows that it would be simplistic to consider that these channels are relics or residues of a lost previous function during evolution or maturation process of erythrocytes.Les érythrocytes sont un modèle pour l'étude du transport des ions, des nutriments et de divers solutés au travers de la membrane cellulaire. L'identité moléculaire, la régulation et rôle physiologique des canaux ioniques sont pas clairement établis malgré leur implication évidente dans des processus physiologiques comme la sénescence ou pathologiques comme la drépanocytose ou le paludisme. Le présent travail de thèse a fait appel à la technique du 'patch-clamp' et à diverses méthodes biochimiques pour démontrer que: 1/ La diversité des courants anioniques enregistrés au travers de la membrane de l'érythrocyte humain sain, ou infecté par P. falciparum, correspond à différents états d'activité d'un type unique de canal 'maxi-anionique' comportant des niveaux de conductance, des modes d'activation et des propriétés pharmacologiques variables selon les conditions physico-chimiques. 2/ L'identité moléculaire de ce canal anionique est de type 'voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC)'. Il est l'une des trois composantes d'un récepteur 'peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR)' présent dans la membrane érythrocytaire. 3/ Le canal VDAC, généralement peu actif correspond, lorsqu'il est activé, à la nouvelle voie de perméation 'new permeability pathway' décrite dans la membrane de l'érythrocyte infecté par P. falciparum. L'activation résulte alors en partie de l'insertion dans la membrane érythrocytaire de protéines plasmodiales de type 'Ring-infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen (RESA). Ce travail contribue à l'élucidation de la nature exacte des canaux ioniques présents dans la membrane érythrocytaire et avance une hypothèse unificatrice quant au rôle joué par ces canaux

Anion conductance of the human red cell is carried by a maxi-anion channel

International audienceHistorically, the anion transport through the human red cell membrane has been perceived to be mediated by Band 3, in the two-component concept with the large electroneutral anion exchange accompanied by the conductance proper, which dominated the total membrane conductance. The status of anion channels proper has never been clarified, and the informations obtained by different groups of electrophysiologists are rather badly matched. This study, using the cell-attached configuration of the patch-clamp technique, rationalizes and explains earlier confusing results by demonstrating that the diversity of anionic channel activities recorded in human erythrocytes corresponds to different kinetic modalities of a unique type of maxi-anion channel with multiple conductance levels and probably multiple gating properties and pharmacology, depending on conditions. It demonstrates the role of activator played by serum in the recruitment of multiple new conductance levels showing very complex kinetics and gating properties upon serum addition. These channels, which seem to be dormant under normal physiological conditions, are potentially activable and could confer a far higher anion conductance to the red cell than the ground leak mediated by Band 3

Antiatherosclerotic Effects of 1-Methylnicotinamide in Apolipoprotein E/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Deficient Mice: A Comparison with Nicotinic Acid

ABSTRACT 1-Methylnicotinamide (MNA), the major endogenous metabolite of nicotinic acid (NicA), may partially contribute to the vasoprotective properties of NicA. Here we compared the antiatherosclerotic effects of MNA and NicA in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)/ low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice. ApoE/ LDLR 2/2 mice were treated with MNA or NicA (100 mg/kg). Plaque size, macrophages, and cholesterol content in the brachiocephalic artery, endothelial function in the aorta, systemic inflammation, platelet activation, as well as the concentration of MNA and its metabolites in plasma and urine were measured. MNA and NicA reduced atherosclerotic plaque area, plaque inflammation, and cholesterol content in the brachiocephalic artery. The antiatherosclerotic actions of MNA and NicA were associated with improved endothelial function, as evidenced by a higher concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1a and nitrite/nitrate in the aortic ring effluent, inhibition of platelets (blunted thromboxane B 2 generation), and inhibition of systemic inflammation (lower plasma concentration of serum amyloid P, haptoglobin). NicA treatment resulted in an approximately 2-fold higher concentration of MNA and its metabolites in urine and a 4-fold higher nicotinamide/MNA ratio in plasma, compared with MNA treatment. In summary; MNA displays pronounced antiatherosclerotic action in ApoE/LDLR 2/2 mice, an effect associated with an improvement in prostacyclin-and nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function, inhibition of platelet activation, inhibition of inflammatory burden in plaques, and diminished systemic inflammation. Despite substantially higher MNA availability after NicA treatment, compared with an equivalent dose of MNA, the antiatherosclerotic effect of NicA was not stronger. We suggest that detrimental effects of NicA or its metabolites other than MNA may limit beneficial effects of NicA-derived MNA