Directed targeting of immunoerythrocytes provides local protection of endothelial cells from damage by hydrogen peroxide.

Red blood cells bearing anti-mouse IgG antibody on their surface (immunoerythrocytes) may provide for local protection of endothelial cells from the action of hydrogen peroxide. Subconfluent cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells responded sharply to increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Permeabilization of cellular membrane occurred at doses of hydrogen peroxide of from 1 to 3 mM, and was assured by incorporation of trypan blue stain immediately after treatment. Latent damage of cells produced by much lower doses of hydrogen peroxide (0.2-0.4 mM) could be observed after 24-hour incubation of treated cells in the normal culture medium with no hydrogen peroxide. The apparently dead cells differed from intact cells in morphology, were poorly attached to the substrate, and were readily incorporated by trypan blue, thus permitting easy visualization. Immunoerythrocytes bound to the antigen-coated surface enzymatically decreased the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in their microenvironment at least fivefold with respect to the total hydrogen peroxide concentration. Erythrocytes deposited on a part of the endothelial monolayer locally protected it from the damage at hydrogen peroxide concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 mM. Localization of protected zones corresponded precisely to the geometry of the erythrocyte coating. Immunoerythrocytes targeted to the endothelial cells by means of mouse anti-endothelial antiserum did not impair their viability and protected the endothelium from being killed at 0.3-1.2 mM hydrogen peroxide. This approach might be useful for a cell selection in mixed cell populations. The problem of local protection of cells involved in the inflammation focus are discussed.