Monocyte-red blood cell crosstalk supports clearance and heme metabolism in sickle cell anemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Monocytes can interact with erythroid cells and contribute to macrophage pools under anemic stress, thereby supporting the erythropoietic niche. In sickle cell anemia (SCA), extensive hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis may expose circulating monocytes to abnormal red blood cells (RBCs), potentially altering their phenotype and function to accommodate the higher erythropoietic response and iron demand.

Methods and results

We characterized circulating monocytes from SCA patients at steady state using flow cytometry and in vitro phagocytosis assays. Intracellular RBC material was detected in all circulating monocyte subsets from SCA patients, indicating active erythrophagocytosis. Mechanistically, SCA monocytes displayed upregulated VCAM-1 and reduced SI

SUBMITTER: Borges MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12714641 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature