rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org
How do red blood cells
know when to die?
Clemente Fernandez Arias1,2 and Cristina Fernandez
Arias3
Research
Cite this article: Fernandez Arias C,
Fernandez Arias C. 2017 How do red blood cells
know when to die?. R. Soc. open sci. 4: 160850.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160850
Received: 25 October 2016
Accepted: 1 March 2017
Subject Category:
Cellular and molecular biology
Subject Areas:
cellular biology/theoretical
biology/biomathematics
Keywords:
red blood cell homeostasis, oxygen
homeostasis, neocytolysis, erythropoietin,
CD47, phosphatidylserine
Author for correspondence:
Clemente Fernandez Arias
e-mail: tifar@ucm.es
1 Departamento de Matemática Aplicada. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
2 Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos, Madrid, Spain
3 HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of
The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
ClFA, 0000-0003-4298-8910
Human red blood cells (RBCs) are normally phagocytized by
macrophages of splenic and hepatic sinusoids at 120 days
of age. The destruction of RBCs is ultimately controlled by
antagonist effects of phosphatidylserine (PS) and CD47 on
the phagocytic activity of macrophages. In this work, we
introduce a conceptual model that explains RBC lifespan as a
consequence of the dynamics of these molecules. Specifically,
we suggest that PS and CD47 define a molecular algorithm that
sets the timing of RBC phagocytosis. We show that significant
changes in RBC lifespan described in the literature can be
explained as alternative outcomes of this algorithm when
it is executed in different conditions of oxygen availability.
The theoretical model introduced here provides a unified
framework to understand a variety of empirical observations
regarding RBC biology. It also highlights the role of RBC
lifespan as a key element of RBC homeostasis.
1. Introduction
The population of red blood cells (RBCs) in the organism must
remain within definite limits in order to ensure the oxygenation
of body tissues and to maintain adequate values of blood
pressure and viscosity. This is achieved by means of homeostatic
mechanisms that control the ratio between cell production and
destruction and compensate any unbalance between oxygen
supply and demand by increasing or reducing the number of
circulating RBCs [1,2].
The formation of new RBCs is controlled by erythropoietin
(Epo), a hormone produced by fibroblasts of peritubular
capillaries in the kidney that induces proliferation and differentiation of erythroid precursor cells in the bone marrow [3].
On the other hand, RBCs are removed by macrophages of the
mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) when passing through
the splenic and hepatic sinusoids. Macrophages identify and
phagocytize RBCs that have attained a critical age (120 days
in humans and 60 days in mice) in a process known as
erythrophagocytosis [4–6].
2017 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted
use, provided the original author and source are credited.
The phagocytosis of RBCs by macrophages of the MPS is known to be mediated by phosphatidylserine
(PS) and CD47 [26–31]. PS and CD47 have been labelled as ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals, owing to
their pro- and anti-phagocytic effects, respectively [32,33]. Available empirical evidence concerning the
dynamics of PS and CD47 expression in the membrane of RBCs can be summarized as follows:
(E1) PS is confined to the inner layer of the cell membrane in newly formed RBCs, so it is invisible for
macrophages. Such membrane asymmetry is progressively lost in ageing RBCs, which increases
PS exposure in the cell surface [34–36]. Therefore, pro-phagocytic effect of PS intensifies with the
age of the RBC (figure 1a).
(E2) Conversely, the anti-phagocytic activity of CD47 is higher at the birth of the RBC [37,38].
Progressively lower expression of the protein or conformational changes in its spatial structure
diminish its activity as a phagocytosis inhibitor as the cell ages [39] (figure 1a).
(E3) The effects of PS and CD47 cancel out each other [40], so that the net balance between PS and
CD47 in an RBC determines whether or not it is destroyed by macrophages [22]. From points
E1 and E2, it follows that ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals offset ‘eat-me’ signals in the membrane of
young RBCs, preventing their phagocytosis. The difference between ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’
................................................
2. A conceptual model of red blood cell lifespan determination
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In hypoxia, fibroblasts increase the release of Epo, thus accelerating the production of new cells and
boosting the population of RBCs [7,8]. Conversely, if oxygen levels rise above physiological needs (e.g. in
acclimation to higher partial pressure of oxygen after descent to sea level from high altitudes), fibroblasts
lower the production of Epo and the population of RBCs shrinks to a new equilibrium size [3,9,10].
Excess of oxygen supply also entails an increase in the rate of cell destruction caused by neocytolysis,
a homeostatic mechanism that entails the selective removal of RBCs of only 10 or 11 days of age, and
contributes to the rapid reduction of the number of cells [11–14].
The switch from 120 days to 11 days of duration in response to environmental factors indicates that
lifespan is not a fixed, intrinsic feature of RBCs. This point is further evidenced by the fact that RBCs live
around 40 days less in newborn humans than in adults [15]. Even if the mechanisms that regulate changes
in RBC lifespan remain obscure, it is widely assumed that RBC ageing and death are ultimately caused
by oxidative stress (OS) [16–18]. The continuous exposure to highly reactive oxygen radicals deteriorates
the membrane and cytoplasm of the RBC, which may eventually compromise its function [19]. In fact,
higher sensitivities to OS correlate with shorter lifespans [20]. This observation has been interpreted as
evidence of an active mechanism that would set RBC lifespan by fine-tuning the expression of genes
that confer resistance to OS in erythroid precursors [16,20]. From this approach, human RBCs would be
genetically configured to show signs of OS-driven senescence around the age of 120 days. Macrophages
of the MPS would then identify aged RBCs by means of these signs [21].
In our opinion, the explanation of RBC lifespan as determined exclusively by OS is incomplete.
For one thing, not all aged RBCs show the typical signs of severe OS-derived damage, such as cell
shrinkage and membrane blebbing [22,23]. As a matter of fact, defective RBCs of any age are not
destroyed by erythrophagocytosis, but through an alternative mechanism known as eryptosis [24,25].
This suggests that normal and damaged RBCs follow different phagocytosis pathways. On the other
hand, the 10-fold decrease in RBC lifespan during neocytolysis would require a substantial reduction
in the resistance of RBCs to oxidative damage. This would multiply the risk of RBC malfunction, a
feature that seems unlikely for a physiological homeostatic mechanism. Alternatively, neocytolysis and
erythrophagocytosis might be driven by different mechanisms [3,11], implying that some aspects of RBC
lifespan cannot be explained by OS alone.
We postulate in this work that OS should not be considered as the key determinant of RBC lifespan,
even if it causes the destruction of a fraction of circulating cells, and certainly imposes an upper boundary
to the potential duration of RBCs in the blood. We suggest that lifespan is set by means of a molecular
algorithm that controls cell-to-cell interactions between RBCs and macrophages of the MPS. We will
show that such an algorithm could allow to fine-tune RBC lifespan in a variety of ways, thus providing
a flexible system to adapt the number of cells to the demand of oxygen in the tissues.
The view of RBC lifespan introduced here frames a theoretical foundation in which to integrate
different observations regarding RBC biology, such as erythrophagocytosis, neocytolysis and the
seemingly paradoxical presence of auto-antibodies against host RBCs in the organism. In particular, we
will show that these phenomena emerge as alternative outcomes of the same mechanisms working under
different conditions of oxygen availability.
(a)
(b)
(c)
3
threshold (TE – D)
no. signals
threshold (TD)
time
time
eat – don’t eat
(E – D)
D
time
phagocytosis
phagocytosis
birth of
the cell
(d)
(e)
TE – D
no. signals
D
D
TD
TD
time
RBC lifespan
TE – D
D
TD
E–D
(f)
TE – D
time
E–D
time
E–D
RBC lifespan
RBC lifespan
Figure 1. Rationale of the conceptual model of RBC lifespan determination. (a) Time evolution of membrane signals in a RBC according
to empirical evidence (see points E1 and E2). (b) A RBC is phagocytized when the difference between ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals
in its membrane attains a critical threshold (evidence E3). (c) An RBC can also be phagocytized if its level of ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals falls
below a critical threshold (E4). (d) The conditions triggering RBC phagocytosis are mutually exclusive. In this example, the phagocytosis
of the RBC occurs because the expression of ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals falls below a critical threshold (condition E4). (e,f ) Different
dynamics of membrane signals result in different lifespans (e) or in the RBC being phagocytized because it fulfils condition E3 before
condition E4 (f ).
signals grows in ageing RBCs until it reaches a critical threshold that elicits their destruction by
macrophages of the MPS [40,41] (figure 1b).
(E4) It has also been observed that RBCs with sufficiently low levels of CD47 are also phagocytized
regardless of the amount of PS present in their surface [42,43]. In this case, young RBCs are not
destroyed because of the anti-phagocytic effect of CD47 (evidence E2). Owing to progressive loss
of CD47 activity in ageing RBCs ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals eventually fall below a certain level that
prompts the phagocytosis of the cell (figure 1c).
The conditions that trigger RBC phagocytosis (points E3 and E4) seem to be simultaneously fulfilled by
ageing RBCs. However, since any particular RBC can only be phagocytized once, both conditions are
in fact mutually exclusive. Only the first of the thresholds to be reached determines the lifespan of the
RBC (figure 1d–f ). On the other hand, both conditions seem to accomplish the same purpose, since both
foster the phagocytosis of aged RBCs and the survival of young cells. This raises the question of why two
apparently redundant pathways of RBC removal exist.
In order to address this issue, we begin by remarking that CD47 and PS also play a major role
in the control of the phagocytosis of other cell types by macrophages [44–46]. Specifically, CD47 is
broadly expressed in the host and absent in foreign cells [29,47], while PS is confined to the membrane
of apoptotic host cells [40,48]. These patterns of PS and CD47 expression allow for macrophages
to identify CD47+ cells as self-structures [31,42]. In this case, accompanying high levels of PS are
recognized as a mark of apoptosis, which triggers the phagocytosis of the cell and the release of
anti-inflammatory signals that avoid autoimmunity against healthy tissues [49,50]. On the other hand,
the absence of CD47 in a cell membrane reveals the presence of a potential infection [51,52]. Unlike the
silent clearance of apoptotic host cells, phagocytosis of CD47− cells is followed by the activation of
................................................
E–D
eat (E)
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don’t eat (D)
As we have discussed above, quantitative dynamics of PS and CD47 seem to determine RBC lifespan
(figure 1d–f ). However, to the best of our knowledge, no such quantitative analysis is currently available
in the literature. In the absence of empirical data, we will formulate a mathematical model that
reproduces the qualitative features of PS and CD47 dynamics outlined in the previous section (see points
E1 to E4). This model is based on the following assumptions:
(A1) The expression of ‘eat-me’ signals in the outer membrane of the RBC increases at a constant
rate β.
(A2) The number of ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals decreases at a constant rate α. This results in an exponential
decay, a behaviour that has been described for other RBC membrane proteins (e.g. [66,67]).
(A3) Two independent thresholds exist, denoted by Ts and Ti , that trigger silent and immune
phagocytosis pathways, respectively.
Assumptions A1 and A2 do not intend to account for the molecular mechanisms underlying the time
evolution of membrane signals. Instead, they have been chosen for the sake of simplicity in order to
show the relevance of signal dynamics in RBC homeostasis. Nevertheless, new data about PS and CD47
dynamics could be easily included in this approach by modifying assumptions A1 and A2. We will
discuss the implications of this particular choice of assumptions in the last section of this article.
................................................
2.1. Mathematical formalization of the conceptual model
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the macrophage [53], and the secretion of pro-inflammatory signals that may lead to an innate immune
response [54,55].
We postulate that the role of PS and CD47 in the phagocytosis of RBCs (as described in points E3 and
E4) follows this general pattern. Young RBCs, like non-apoptotic host cells show high levels of CD47
and low levels of PS, which prevents their phagocytosis by macrophages. Among aged RBCs, those with
high PS and low CD47 expression are comparable to apoptotic host cells, while those expressing very
low levels of CD47 can be likened to foreign cells. Bearing these analogies in mind, we hypothesize the
existence of two alternative pathways of RBC phagocytosis that entail different macrophage reactions.
Specifically, we suggest that the pathway controlled by the balance between PS and CD47 (E3) is similar
to the removal of apoptotic host cells. In particular, it does not trigger any immune response. By contrast,
the phagocytosis of RBCs with very low CD47 expression (E4) might be analogous to the destruction
of non-self agents by macrophages, and could provoke autoimmune reactions against host RBCs. In the
remainder of this article, we will refer to both phagocytosis pathways as silent and immune, respectively.
The existence of an ad hoc mechanism to provoke autoimmunity may seem paradoxical. However,
it has long been observed that auto-antibodies targeting host RBCs are usually present in the organism
[56–58]. Anti-RBC antibodies are natural antibodies produced by B-1 cells [58,59]. Unlike antibodies from
other B cell subsets, B-1 antibodies have anti-inflammatory effects, which minimize potential collateral
damage to host tissues [60,61]. This might explain why anti-RBC auto-antibodies are usually innocuous
[62] and only occasionally cause clinical disorders, known under the general term of autoimmune
haemolytic anaemia [62]. On the other hand, natural antibodies are spontaneously produced in the
absence of foreign antigens [56] so their specificity for RBCs cannot be explained as due to cross-reactivity
of RBC epitopes and non-self structures encountered in previous infections. This raises the question of
how these auto-antibodies are produced.
Our assumption of an immune pathway of RBC phagocytosis suggests a possible answer for this
question. Macrophages of the MPS express MHC molecules, and can therefore act as antigen presenting
cells [63,64]. We suggest that after phagocytizing RBCs with very low CD47 expression they would
initiate an adaptive immune response, much like they do after phagocytizing foreign cells. As a matter of
fact, it has been recently observed that removal of CD47 from self-RBCs suffices indeed to trigger immune
responses in mice [65]. Nevertheless, since RBCs are not pathogens, macrophages of the MPS would
recruit B-1 cells instead of more aggressive B cell types, leading to the production of non-inflammatory
antibodies against host RBCs. The functional role of these anti-RBC auto-antibodies remains to be
explained. In this respect, we will show in the following sections that anti-RBC autoimmunity, together
with erythrophagocytosis and neocytolysis fit into a global, coherent model of RBC homeostasis. In order
to do that, we will next state the previous conceptual model in mathematical terms.
where E0 and D0 are the amounts of ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals in the cell membrane at the birth
of the RBC, respectively.
From assumption A3, it follows that conditions E(ts ) − D(ts ) = Ts and D(ti ) = Ti define the times ts
and ti at which the RBC is removed through the silent and immune phagocytosis pathways, respectively.
Introducing the expressions of E(t) and D(t) given by equations (2.2) in these conditions, we get the
following values for ti and ts :
⎫
D0
1
⎪
⎪
ti = ln
⎪
⎬
α
Ti
(2.3)
⎪
α
1
1
⎪
D0 eα(E0 −Ts )/β ,⎪
and
ts = (Ts − E0 ) + W
⎭
β
α
β
where W(·) is the product logarithm or Lambert W function.
Equations (2.3) define the conditions that dictate the fate of RBC. The cell is cleared through the silent
pathway if ts < ti and through the immune pathway otherwise. From equations (2.3), it follows that the
timing of RBC phagocytosis, and hence its lifespan, is given by L = min(ti , ts ).
3. A theoretical framework for red blood cell homeostasis
From equations (2.1) to (2.3), ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals can be viewed as defining a cellular
algorithm whose execution in the membrane of each RBC determines both its fate (i.e. if it is removed
through the silent or the immune pathway) and its lifespan. In this section, we will show that this
algorithm provides a coherent, integrative view of RBC homeostasis. According to equations (2.3), RBC
fate and lifespan are unambiguously defined by the specific values of six parameters. Roughly speaking,
these parameters represent the amount of membrane signals at the birth of the cell (D0 and E0 ), the rates
of change of these signals (α and β), and the thresholds that elicit the phagocytosis of RBCs (Ts and Ti ).
Variations in any of these features result in changes in either the lifespan of the cell or the phagocytosis
pathway leading to its destruction (figure 2). Bearing this fact in mind, we will next enumerate a series of
biological mechanisms that could be used by the organism to modulate RBC lifespan, and discuss their
consequences on RBC homeostasis.
3.1. Effects of oxidative stress on red blood cell lifespan
As we noted above, OS causes the accumulation of defects in the cytosol and membrane of RBCs,
increasing the probability of malfunction and even of cell lysis in the blood. In extreme cases, this may
induce a severe clinical condition known as haemolysis [68]. RBCs showing signs of oxidative damage
should therefore be removed from the circulation in order to minimize the risk of haemolysis. It has been
suggested that the level of PS expression is one of those signs, since higher levels of OS are accompanied
by higher rates of PS externalization [34,35,69,70].
PS exposure in response to OS is not a passive process. Instead, it seems to be mediated by cytoplasmic
RBC proteins [27], suggesting that RBCs are able to accelerate the rate of PS externalization in case of
oxidative damage. From this observation, we can deduce that higher values of parameter β (rate of PS
externalization) correspond to RBCs exposed to higher levels of OS (see equations (2.1)). In agreement
with empirical observations, this condition shortens RBC lifespan [20,70] (figure 3). From the perspective
of our model, accelerated PS exposure in response to OS can be interpreted as an active mechanism to
minimize the risk of RBC lysis in the blood. By increasing the rate of PS translocation, an RBC would
hasten its phagocytosis through the silent pathway. The cell would therefore be removed from the
................................................
where α and β are positive parameters.
Integrating equations (2.1) we get an explicit expression for the dynamics of ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eatme’ signals:
D(t) = D0 e−αt
(2.2)
and
E(t) = E0 + βt,
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Denoting by E(t) and D(t) the number of ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals at time t, respectively,
assumptions A1 and A2 can be stated in mathematical terms as follows:
D (t) = −αD(t)
(2.1)
and
E (t) = β,
(a)
E (t) – D (t)
D (t)
Ti
(c)
Ts
Ti
D (t)
ts ti time
ts ti time
RBC lifespan
silent phagocytosis (ts < ti)
6
E (t) – D (t)
RBC lifespan
silent phagocytosis (ts < ti)
E (t) – D (t)
Ts
D0
D (t)
Ti
ti ts
time
RBC lifespan
immune phagocytosis (ti < ts)
Figure 2. Results of the mathematical model of RBC lifespan determination. (a) The dynamics of membrane signals as defined by
equations (2.1)–(2.3) satisfy the qualitative constraints imposed by empirical evidence (E1–E4). Both the lifespan of the cell and how
it is phagocytized (i.e. through the silent or the immune pathway) depend on the particular values of the model parameters. In this
case, the difference between ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals is the first to reach its critical threshold (Ts ), so that this cell is destroyed
through the silent pathway at time ts (which sets its lifespan). (b) Changing the silent threshold (parameter Ts in the model) shortens the
lifespan of the cell, but not the phagocytosis pathway. (c) By contrast, lower CD47 expression at the birth of the cell (parameter D0 ) both
shortens the lifespan of the cell and changes the condition that triggers its phagocytosis (from silent to immune).
circulation before attaining a critical level of oxidative damage that might compromise its function or
even its physical viability.
3.2. Recovery of red blood cell homeostasis after haemorrhages
According to equations (2.3), tuning the silent phagocytosis threshold provides another mechanism to
modulate RBC lifespan. This threshold is defined as the difference between ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’
signals that triggers the silent phagocytosis pathway in macrophages of the MPS. Hence, from a
mechanistic point of view, tuning this parameter amounts to modulating the sensitivity of macrophages
to RBC signals. Increasing the silent phagocytosis threshold delays phagocytosis and extends RBC
lifespan (equations (2.1) and figure 3b). Each day added to mean RBC lifespan prevents the destruction
of 1011 cells (around 1% of the total population), which is equivalent to the daily production of RBCs in
normal conditions.
A significant fall in the number of RBCs after a haemorrhage may produce a deficit of oxygen in
the tissues. The subsequent rise in the levels of Epo in the blood [71] eventually restores the population
of RBCs and the equilibrium of oxygen. However, given that this process involves the differentiation
of precursor cells it can take a few days to take the population back to its original size. Increasing the
silent threshold could buffer cell loss and help to maintain the supply of oxygen until Epo-mediated
recovery of the population is completed. In this regard, we remark that empirical evidence suggests that
phagocytosis of macrophages of the MPS is indeed suppressed after haemorrhages [72]. Furthermore,
macrophages are equipped with Epo receptors [73], implying that the tuning of the silent phagocytosis
threshold might be directly controlled by the levels of plasma Epo. Once the equilibrium of oxygen
is recovered, the levels of Epo would return to normal values, restoring both the silent threshold and
RBC lifespan.
3.3. Neocytolysis and erythrophagocytosis
Neocytolysis and erythrophagocytosis are currently considered as alternative mechanisms of RBC
removal [3,13]. In particular, it is implicitly assumed that erythrophagocytosis is the default pathway
of destruction of senescent RBCs during normal homeostasis, while neocytolysis is somehow triggered
by decreased levels of Epo [9,11]. Such drops of Epo occur, in particular, whenever oxygen availability
in the tissues is above physiological needs. For instance, people descending to sea level after a period
of acclimation to high altitudes move from lower to higher partial pressures of atmospheric oxygen.
In this situation, the population of RBCs is larger than needed to ensure the supply of oxygen to the
tissues, and contracts to a new equilibrium size through the selective destruction of younger RBCs
................................................
Ts
(b)
D0
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no. signals
D0
(a)
(b)
increase in
silent threshold
no. signals
E(t) – D(t)
b*
rate of PS
externalization (b)
t1
OS
(c)
t2 t3 time
increment
in lifespan
(d)
no. signals
E(t) – D(t)
increase in (E0 – D0)
RBC
lifespan
ts
~120 days
ti
~10 days
(neocytolysis)
t1 t2
t3
lifespan
t4 time
autoimmunity
threshold
CD47 at the birth
of the RBC (log)
Epo
Figure 3. Potential mechanisms of RBC lifespan modulation. (a) Higher levels of oxidative stress are associated with higher rates of PS
externalization. In agreement with empirical data, the model predicts an inverse correlation between the degree of OS and RBC lifespan.
If the rate of PS externalization is above a critical value (β ∗ ) the curve of ts (time to reach the silent threshold) is below the curve of ti (time
to attain the immune threshold). This implies that for high values of OS (β > β ∗ ) RBCs are phagocytized through the silent pathway.
Only if β < β ∗ are RBCs destroyed through the immune pathway, which can lead to anti-RBC autoimmunity. (b) Time evolution of the
difference between ‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals in the membrane of an RBC formed at time t1 . The difference between membrane
signals should reach the silent threshold at time t2 , thereby causing the phagocytosis of the cell. Increasing the silent threshold delays the
phagocytosis of the RBC until t3 , thus extending its lifespan. (c) Neocytolysis. The figure shows the dynamics of the difference between
‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals in the membrane of two RBCs that differ in the expression of membrane signals at birth. The first cell,
formed at time t1 , is phagocytized at time t4 after a normal lifespan. The second cell, born at time t2 > t1 with a larger difference between
‘eat-me’ and ‘don’t-eat-me’ signals in its membrane attains the silent threshold much faster, so it is destroyed at time t3 , before the first
cell and after a much shorter lifespan. (d) According to our model, the lifespan of each RBC is directly correlated with the level of CD47
expressed in its membrane when it is formed. Low values of CD47 expression could explain short lifespans observed during neocytolysis.
Furthermore, if the initial amount of CD47 falls below a critical level (the autoimmunity threshold), the immune phagocytosis occurs
before the silent pathway (ti < ts ). In this case, macrophages of the MPS phagocytize RBCs after very short lifespans and initiate anti-RBC
autoimmune responses.
[74]. The mechanisms underlying the switch from erythrophagocytosis to neocytolysis remain poorly
understood [9,70].
In this work, we suggest that neocytolysis and erythrophagocytosis should not be considered as
independent mechanisms, but as alternative outcomes of the algorithm of RBC lifespan determination.
Specifically, both processes can be explained as caused by different patterns of PS and CD47 expression
in the membrane of newly formed RBCs. Figure 3c compares the lifespan of two RBCs that differ in
the amount of membrane signals at birth. The RBC with the bigger difference between PS and CD47
expression is the first one to reach the silent phagocytosis threshold, even if it is born later. Moreover, this
cell is destroyed after a short lifespan, while the other is spared and will only be removed after reaching
the usual RBC lifespan. These features are precisely what defines neocytolysis. Therefore, according to
our model, neocytolysis occurs if RBCs formed under lower levels of Epo are born with more PS or less
CD47 in their outer membrane. Empirical evidence points to the latter, since young RBCs show lower
levels of CD47 and similar levels of PS (when compared with older cells) in people descending to sea
level after acclimation to high altitude [12].
................................................
ti
7
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RBC lifespan
ts
Neocytolysis reduces the number of RBCs when oxygen supply exceeds the demands of body tissues
[9,11]. We suggest that autoimmunity could provide a complementary mechanism to accelerate the
contraction of the RBC population in such circumstances. According to the model, anti-RBC autoimmune
responses emerge from the same process that leads to neocytolysis, namely, the reduction in CD47
expression in newly formed RBCs. If the population of RBCs is still larger than required after
neocytolysis-driven contraction, the levels of Epo continue to drop. In consequence, newly formed RBCs
express progressively less CD47 in their membranes (figure 3d). RBCs whose initial levels of CD47
expression falls beyond a critical point (labelled as the autoimmune threshold) are phagocytized through
the immune pathway (figure 3d). The ensuing production of natural auto-antibodies would foster the
death of other RBCs, further contracting the population.
The view of anti-RBC autoimmune responses as a homeostatic mechanism is supported by the
fact that natural antibodies do not target all circulating RBCs, which might result in a massive and
uncontrolled loss of cells. Instead, they are directed against specific epitopes usually expressed in aged
RBCs and absent in young cells [57]. Moreover, RBCs of any age are also protected from the action of
auto-antibodies by CD47, which is known to inhibit the phagocytosis of opsonized cells [28,75]. On the
other hand, the protection provided by CD47 is dose-dependent [75], implying that the destruction
of an individual RBC through this antibody-mediated pathway depends on both its levels of CD47
and the concentration of antibodies present in the blood. For this reason, only those RBCs with high
CD47 expression survive in the course of more aggressive responses. Therefore, the intensity of the
autoimmune response (i.e. the amount of auto-antibodies produced) determines the cohorts of RBC that
are destroyed, and hence the extent of the reduction in the number of cells.
In normal conditions, autoimmunity-driven contraction of the population should eventually restore
physiological levels of oxygen. Under the assumptions of our model, the subsequent rise in Epo would
increase CD47 expression in new RBCs, arresting the production of anti-RBC antibodies (figure 3d).
Further increases of initial CD47 would also interrupt neocytolysis and restore RBC lifespan to normal
values observed in erythrophagocytosis. Therefore, Epo-dependent regulation of CD47 in new RBCs
creates a switch between silent and immune phagocytosis and makes both neocytolysis and homeostatic
autoimmunity reversible processes.
Our model also suggests that anti-RBC responses are only triggered if levels of OS are sufficiently
low (figure 3a). Assuming the homeostatic nature of autoimmunity, this result can be understood as
preventing the production of auto-antibodies in conditions of severe OS. Under these circumstances,
oxidative damage can cause the abnormal destruction of many RBCs, making unlikely the need for antiRBCs antibodies to remove an excess of cells.
3.5. The role of Epo in red blood cell lifespan determination
The role of Epo in RBC production and its relationship to oxygen homeostasis are well established in
the literature [3]. It has been hypothesized that Epo could also control the onset of neocytolysis by
modulating the interaction between macrophages of the MPS and young circulating RBCs [11]. The
theoretical model presented in this work supports this hypothesis by suggesting an explicit mechanism
that links Epo to RBC lifespan determination. Moreover, this model suggests that neocytolysis can be
understood as a particular manifestation of a more general function of Epo as determinant of RBC
destruction. This function would consist in setting RBC lifespan by adjusting the phagocytosis thresholds
and the levels of CD47 expression in newly formed cells. If proven correct, this model would explain a
variety of RBC responses to changes in oxygen supply to the tissues.
For instance, people descending to sea level after high-altitude acclimation show sharp fluctuations of
Epo owing to altitude-related changes in the partial pressure of oxygen. Epo increases during acclimation
to higher altitudes, and falls after returning to sea levels, attaining lower values than those found
................................................
3.4. Autoimmune responses in red blood cell homeostasis
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This result suggests that the transition from erythrophagocytosis to neocytolysis does not require a
switch between alternative mechanisms of RBC destruction. Instead, the lifespan of RBCs can vary in a
continuum that ranges from 10 days during neocytolysis, to 80 days in newborns and 120 days in adult
humans, depending on the level of PS and/or CD47 at the birth of the cells. In order to illustrate the
main point of this work, and for the sake of simplicity, we will continue our discussion assuming that
Epo only affects CD47 expression in newly formed RBCs (figure 3d). Similar arguments could be drawn
if Epo also determined initial PS levels.
(a)
(b)
9
Epo
0
~120 days
M
1
2
A
S
~10 days
(neocytolysis)
autoimmunity
time
M: malaria infection
A: return to sea level
after altitude acclimation
S: space flights
–1
–2
autoimmunity
threshold
CD47 at the birth
of the RBC (log)
Epo
Figure 4. A theoretical model for the relationship between RBC lifespan and oxygen homeostasis. (a) Acclimation to environments with
different partial pressures of oxygen, or clinical conditions that involve massive RBC loss such as malaria entail sharp fluctuations in the
levels of plasma Epo (see text for references). (b) We hypothesize that Epo controls CD47 expression in newly formed RBCs, which in
turn sets their expected lifespan (see equations (2.3)). In normal conditions both Epo and oxygen levels are at equilibrium, and mean
RBC lifespan is around 120 days (0). Any variation in Epo, independently of its cause, changes the amount of CD47 in newly formed RBCs
and hence its lifespan. From this perspective, a pronounced decrease in Epo suffices to account for the onset of neocytolysis observed in
people returning to sea level after high-altitude acclimation or in malaria patients (labelled as −1 in the figure). Further drops of Epo can
lead to autoimmunity (labelled as −2), which could explain the presence of auto-antibodies against host RBCs in malaria patients or in
astronauts after space flights. See the text for further details.
before altitude acclimation [12,70] (figure 4a). Similar Epo dynamics have been described in malaria
patients. The destruction of RBCs by Plasmodium parasites during the first stages of malaria causes a
deficit of oxygen in the tissues, and a subsequent increase of Epo [76,77]. By contrast, later stages of
the infection are usually associated with insufficient production of Epo [77–79]. Epo also falls if partial
pressure of oxygen increases, e.g. during spaceflights or in the return to sea level after high-altitude
acclimation [9,80].
We postulate that any drop in Epo is expected to exert similar effects on RBC lifespan independently
of its cause. Within the framework of our model, these effects range from neocytolysis to the
initiation of homeostatic autoimmunity (figure 4b). As a matter of fact, both neocytolysis and strong
anti-RBC responses have been described in astronauts after space flights [9,74]. As for malaria
infections, both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections cause the abnormal removal of an
important number of non-parasitized cells (npRBCs) [81,82]. In some patients of severe malariaderived anaemia, the destruction of npRBCs can even continue long after the infection has been
cleared (see [83] and references therein). Therefore, malarial anaemia cannot be explained simply
by the direct destruction of infected RBCs alone. Both selective death of young non-parasitized
RBCs [84–86] and the presence of anti-RBC antibodies [87] suggest that neocytolysis and homeostatic
autoimmunity might play a major role in the development of anaemia during malaria. In this
situation, the anomalous drop of Epo that characterizes latter stages of malaria infection would
be erroneously perceived by the organism as caused by an excess of circulating RBCs. The
ensuing normal homeostatic mechanisms (neocytolysis and homeostatic autoimmunity) triggered in
abnormal conditions of oxygen availability would lead to anomalous reductions in the population
of RBCs.
4. Discussion
The consumption of oxygen by the organism is highly variable owing to factors such as circadian
metabolic rhythms, the intensity of physical activity or even fluctuations in ambient temperature [88,89].
In consequence, homeostatic mechanisms must continuously adjust the balance between RBC production
and destruction to maintain an appropriate number of RBCs. The control of RBC production by Epo is
well described in the literature [3]. By contrast, many questions about RBC destruction remain largely
unanswered. In particular, no universally accepted explanation of the mechanisms underlying changes
in RBC lifespan is available as yet.
................................................
2
1
0
–1
–2
rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org R. Soc. open sci. 4: 160850
RBC
lifespan
this field, contributed equally to the development of the theoretical model presented in this work, collaborated in
writing the manuscript and gave final approval for publication.
Competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Funding. The authors have not received any particular financial support for this work.
Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to F. J. Acosta for helpful comments on the manuscript.
................................................
Authors’ contributions. Both authors conceived this work, collaborated in finding and reviewing available literature on
10
rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org R. Soc. open sci. 4: 160850
A substantial body of evidence points to PS and CD47 as key determinants of RBC phagocytosis
[26–31]. In this work, we postulate that quantitate aspects of these dynamics explain how RBC lifespan
variations are related to oxygen homeostasis. This statement is based on two main assumptions. First,
that the pattern of PS and CD47 expression changes during the life of the cell, as evidenced by differences
between young and aged RBCs [34–38]. Second, that the conditions that trigger RBC phagocytosis as
described in the literature (see points E3 and E4 above) differ in the subsequent behaviour they elicit on
macrophages of the MPS. Specifically, we postulate that the phagocytosis of RBCs with very low levels
of CD47 provokes immune responses against host RBCs.
The nature of this work is necessarily speculative owing to the lack of published data about the
actual dynamics of CD47 and PS in the membrane of RBCs. We have modelled plausible dynamics
that satisfy the constraints imposed by available evidence. The exponential decay proposed for CD47
has actually been described for other molecules present in RBCs [66,67]. As for the increase of PS
externalization observed in ageing cells, we have assumed that it occurs at a constant rate for the
sake of simplicity. A different mathematical formalization of the model would involve a different
set of parameters, suggesting perhaps other mechanisms of RBC lifespan modulation. In any case,
the conceptual model that emerges from published evidence (outlined in figure 1) is independent
of any particular mathematical formulation. From this conceptual model, PS and CD47 constitute a
molecular clock that sets the timing of RBC phagocytosis. RBC lifespan should be determined by the
time it takes for these signals to satisfy one of the two conditions that trigger the phagocytosis of
the cell.
A mathematical version of this conceptual model suggests several mechanisms that might modulate
RBC lifespan. First, changes in CD47 expression in newly formed RBCs could account for differences in
lifespan observed in erythrophagocytosis and neocytolysis, as well as for the origin and function of antiRBC autoimmunity. We remark that none of these processes is explicitly implemented in the equations of
the model. Instead, they emerge as alternative outcomes of the same algorithm of lifespan determination
for different values of initial CD47 expression at the birth of the cell. Second, by controlling macrophage
phagocytic activity, Epo levels might continuously adjust the value of the phagocytosis thresholds, thus
fine-tuning the lifespan of circulating RBCs. Finally, higher levels of OS might shorten RBC lifespan
by accelerating the rate of PS exposure in the outer membrane of the cell. These mechanisms are
independent and might be acting simultaneously to determine RBC lifespan. In this respect, it has been
recently suggested that hypoxia-induced factors (HIFs) might be involved in shortening RBC lifespan
during neocytolysis [70]. The effect of HIF would be related to lower catalase activity in young RBCs
formed in hypoxia. Under this assumption, such young RBCs would be more susceptible to OS in case
of a rise in oxygen availability, which would translate into higher rates of PS externalization. From the
perspective of our model, this would imply that parameter β takes higher values in RBCs formed during
hypoxia. At the same time, the amount of CD47 in new RBCs could be modulated by Epo depending
on the levels of oxygen. The combined effects of accelerated PS expression and lower CD47 expression
would result in shortened RBC lifespan and, eventually, in the production of anti-RBC auto-antibodies.
In turn, autoimmunity and neocytolysis would rapidly contract the population whenever oxygen supply
is above physiological needs.
Further research is needed to unveil all the mechanisms underlying RBC lifespan determination.
However, irrespectively of their ultimate causes, variations in RBC lifespan play a central role in the
ability of the organism to modulate the rate of RBC destruction. Specifically, if all human RBCs lived
120 days, then the temporal pattern of cell destruction would just reproduce the pattern of formation
of new RBCs with a delay of 120 days. Extending mean lifespan beyond 120 days lowers the rate of
cell destruction and enlarges the number of RBCs in the blood. Conversely, the phagocytosis of RBCs
under 120 days of age contracts the population by increasing the rate of cell destruction. Therefore, it
is clear that any theory intending to explain RBC homeostasis should explicitly address the question of
how RBC lifespan is determined. The conceptual model introduced in this work constitutes a first step
towards the development of such a theory. We believe that this model will improve our understanding
of how RBC homeostasis is maintained in normal circumstances and how its imbalance can lead
to pathology.
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