Miltenberger blood group antigen subtype III (Mi.III) supports Wrb expression

A Balance between Transmembrane-Mediated ER/Golgi Retention and Forward Trafficking Signals in Glycophorin-Anion Exchanger-1 Interaction

Anion exchanger-1 (AE1) is the main erythroid Cl-/HCO3- transporter that supports CO2 transport. Glycophorin A (GPA), a component of the AE1 complexes, facilitates AE1 expression and anion transport, but Glycophorin B (GPB) does not. Here, we dissected the structural components of GPA/GPB involved in glycophorin-AE1 trafficking by comparing them with three GPB variants-GPBhead (lacking the transmembrane domain [TMD]), GPBtail (mainly the TMD), and GP.Mur (glycophorin B-A-B hybrid). GPB-derived GP.Mur bears an O-glycopeptide that encompasses the R18 epitope, which is present in GPA but not GPB. By flow cytometry, AE1 expression in the control erythrocytes increased with the GPA-R18 expression; GYP.Mur+/+ erythrocytes bearing both GP.Mur and GPA expressed more R18 epitopes and more AE1 proteins. In contrast, heterologously expressed GPBtail and GPB were predominantly localized in the Golgi apparatus of HEK-293 cells, whereas GBhead was diffuse throughout the cytosol, suggesting that glycophorin transmembrane encoded an ER/Golgi retention signal. AE1 coexpression could reduce the ER/Golgi retention of GPB, but not of GPBtail or GPBhead. Thus, there are forward-trafficking and transmembrane-driven ER/Golgi retention signals encoded in the glycophorin sequences. How the balance between these opposite trafficking signals could affect glycophorin sorting into AE1 complexes and influence erythroid anion transport remains to be explored.

Comodulation of NO-Dependent Vasodilation by Erythroid Band 3 and Hemoglobin: A GP.Mur Athlete Study

GP.Mur, a red blood cell (RBC) hybrid protein encoded by glycophorin B-A-B, increases expression of erythroid band 3 (Anion Exchanger-1, SLC4A1). GP.Mur is extremely rare but has a prevalence of 1–10% in regions of Southeast Asia. We unexpectedly found slightly higher blood pressure (BP) among healthy Taiwanese adults with GP.Mur. Since band 3 has been suggested to interact with hemoglobin (Hb) to modulate nitric oxide (NO)-dependent hypoxic vasodilation during the respiratory cycle, we hypothesized that GP.Mur red cells could exert differentiable effects on vascular tone. Here we recruited GP.Mur-positive and GP.Mur-negative elite male college athletes, as well as age-matched, GP.Mur-negative non-athletes, for NO-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and NO-independent dilation (NID). The subjects were also tested for plasma nitrite and nitrate before and after arterial occlusion in FMD. GP.Mur+ and non-GP.Mur athletes exhibited similar heart rates and blood pressure, but GP.Mur+ athletes showed significantly lower FMD (4.8 ± 2.4%) than non-GP.Mur athletes (6.5 ± 2.1%). NO-independent vasodilation was not affected by GP.Mur. As Hb controls intravascular NO bioavailability, we examined the effect of Hb on limiting FMD and found it to be significantly stronger in GP.Mur+ subjects. Biochemically, plasma nitrite levels were directly proportional to individual band 3 expression on the red cell membrane. The increase of plasma nitrite triggered by arterial occlusion also showed small dependency on band 3 levels in non-GP.Mur subjects. By the GP.Mur comparative study, we unveiled comodulation of NO-dependent vasodilation by band 3 and Hb, and verified the long-pending role of erythroid band 3 in this process.

Exploring the Potential Roles of Band 3 and Aquaporin-1 in Blood CO2 Transport-Inspired by Comparative Studies of Glycophorin B-A-B Hybrid Protein GP.Mur

The Cl^—/HCO₃^— exchanger band 3 is functionally relevant to blood CO₂ transport. Band 3 is the most abundant membrane protein in human red blood cells (RBCs). Our understanding of its physiological functions mainly came from clinical cases associated with band 3 mutations. Severe reduction in band 3 expression affects blood HCO₃^—/CO₂ metabolism. What could happen physiologically if band 3 expression is elevated instead? In some areas of Southeast Asia, about 1–10% of the populations express GP.Mur, a glycophorin B-A-B hybrid membrane protein important in the field of transfusion medicine. GP.Mur functions to promote band 3 expression, and GP.Mur red cells can be deemed as a naturally occurred model for higher band 3 expression. This review first compares the functional consequences of band 3 at different levels, and suggests a critical role of band 3 in postnatal CO₂ respiration. The second part of the review explores the transport of water, which is the other substrate for intra-erythrocytic CO₂/HCO₃^— conversion (an essential step in blood CO₂ transport). Despite that water is considered unlimited physiologically, it is unclear whether water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) abundantly expressed in RBCs is functionally involved in CO₂ transport. Research in this area is complicated by the fact that the H₂O/CO₂-transporting function of AQP1 is replaceable by other erythrocyte channels/transporters (e.g., UT-B/GLUT1 for H₂O; RhAG for CO₂). Recently, using carbonic anhydrase II (CAII)-filled erythrocyte vesicles, AQP1 has been demonstrated to transport water for the CAII-mediated reaction, CO_2(g) + H₂O ⇌ HCO₃^—_(aq) + H⁺_(aq). AQP1 is structurally associated with some population of band 3 complexes on the erythrocyte membrane in an osmotically responsive fashion. The current findings reveal transient interaction among components within the band 3-central, CO₂-transport metabolon (AQP1, band 3, CAII and deoxygenated hemoglobin). Their dynamic interaction is envisioned to facilitate blood CO₂ respiration, in the presence of constantly changing osmotic and hemodynamic stresses during circulation.

Adaptable interaction between aquaporin-1 and band 3 reveals a potential role of water channel in blood CO2 transport

Human CO₂ respiration requires rapid conversion between CO₂ and HCO₃^- Carbonic anhydrase II facilitates this reversible reaction inside red blood cells, and band 3 [anion exchanger 1 (AE1)] provides a passage for HCO₃^- flux across the cell membrane. These 2 proteins are core components of the CO₂ transport metabolon. Intracellular H₂O is necessary for CO₂/HCO₃^- conversion. However, abundantly expressed aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in erythrocytes is thought not to be part of band 3 complexes or the CO₂ transport metabolon. To solve this conundrum, we used Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM-FRET) and identified interaction between aquaporin-1 and band 3 at a distance of 8 nm, within the range of dipole-dipole interaction. Notably, their interaction was adaptable to membrane tonicity changes. This suggests that the function of AQP1 in tonicity response could be coupled or correlated to its function in band 3-mediated CO₂/HCO₃^- exchange. By demonstrating AQP1 as a mobile component of the CO₂ transport metabolon, our results uncover a potential role of water channel in blood CO₂ transport and respiration.-Hsu, K., Lee, T.-Y., Periasamy, A., Kao, F.-J., Li, L.-T., Lin, C.-Y., Lin, H.-J., Lin, M. Adaptable interaction between aquaporin-1 and band 3 reveals a potential role of water channel in blood CO₂ transport.

Blood Groups in Infection and Host Susceptibility

Blood group antigens represent polymorphic traits inherited among individuals and populations. At present, there are 34 recognized human blood groups and hundreds of individual blood group antigens and alleles. Differences in blood group antigen expression can increase or decrease host susceptibility to many infections. Blood groups can play a direct role in infection by serving as receptors and/or coreceptors for microorganisms, parasites, and viruses. In addition, many blood group antigens facilitate intracellular uptake, signal transduction, or adhesion through the organization of membrane microdomains. Several blood groups can modify the innate immune response to infection. Several distinct phenotypes associated with increased host resistance to malaria are overrepresented in populations living in areas where malaria is endemic, as a result of evolutionary pressures. Microorganisms can also stimulate antibodies against blood group antigens, including ABO, T, and Kell. Finally, there is a symbiotic relationship between blood group expression and maturation of the gastrointestinal microbiome.

Expedited CO2 respiration in people with Miltenberger erythrocyte phenotype GP.Mur

In Southeast Asia, Miltenberger antigen subtype III (Mi.III; GP.Mur) is considered one of the most important red blood cell antigens in the field of transfusion medicine. Mi.III functions to promote erythrocyte band 3 expression and band 3-related HCO3(-) transport, with implications in blood CO2 metabolism. Could Mi.III affect physiologic CO2 respiration in its carriers? Here, we conducted a human trial to study the impacts of Mi.III expression in respiration. We recruited 188 healthy, adult subjects for blood typing, band 3 measurements, and respiratory tests before and after exercise. The 3-minute step exercise test forced the demand for CO2 dissipation to rise. We found that immediately following exercise, Mi.III + subjects exhaled CO2 at greater rates than Miltenberger-negative subjects. Respiration rates were also higher for Mi.III + subjects immediately after exercise. Blood gas tests further revealed distinct blood CO2 responses post-exercise between Mi.III and non-Mi.III. In contrast, from measurements of heart rates, blood O2 saturation and lactate, Mi.III phenotype was found to be independent of one's aerobic and anaerobic capacities. Thus, Mi.III expression supported physiologic CO2 respiration. Conceivably, Mi.III + people may have advantages in performing physically enduring activities.