Sequential Shrinkage and Swelling Underlie P2X7-Stimulated Lymphocyte Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Death

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 180; no. 1; pp. 300 - 308
• Main Authors: Taylor, Simon R. J, Gonzalez-Begne, Mireya, Dewhurst, Stephen, Chimini, Giovanna, Higgins, Christopher F, Melvin, James E, Elliott, James I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Assoc Immnol 01.01.2008; Publisher : Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins, c1950-. Latest Publisher : Bethesda, MD : American Association of Immunologists
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Biological Transport; Biological Transport - drug effects; Cell Size; Chlorides; Chlorides - metabolism; Connexins; Immunology; Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels - antagonists & inhibitors; Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels - metabolism; Life Sciences; Lipid Metabolism; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - pathology; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Phosphatidylserines; Phosphatidylserines - metabolism; Phosphatidylserines - pharmacology; Purinergic P2 Receptor Agonists; Receptors, Purinergic P2; Receptors, Purinergic P2 - metabolism; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7; T-Lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tamoxifen; Tamoxifen - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.1.300

Patterns of change in cell volume and plasma membrane phospholipid distribution during cell death are regarded as diagnostic means of distinguishing apoptosis from necrosis, the former being associated with cell shrinkage and early phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, whereas necrosis is associated with cell swelling and consequent lysis. We demonstrate that cell volume regulation during lymphocyte death stimulated via the purinergic receptor P2X7 is distinct from both. Within seconds of stimulation, murine lymphocytes undergo rapid shrinkage concomitant with, but also required for, PS exposure. However, within 2 min shrinkage is reversed and swelling ensues ending in cell rupture. P2X7-induced shrinkage and PS translocation depend upon K+ efflux via KCa3.1, but use a pathway of Cl- efflux distinct from that previously implicated in apoptosis. Thus, P2X7 stimulation activates a novel pathway of cell death that does not conform to those conventionally associated with apoptosis and necrosis. The mixed apoptotic/necrotic phenotype of P2X7-stimulated cells is consistent with a potential role for this death pathway in lupus disease.