Early membrane events in polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) apoptosis: membrane blebbing and vesicle release, CD43 and CD16 down-regulation and phosphatidylserine externalization.

CD43 down-regulation during the apoptosis of PMN (polymorphonuclear cells) is not caused by proteolysis or internalization. Could it be released with bleb-derived membrane vesicles? Membrane blebbing was followed by microscopy on PMN 'synchronized' by an overnight incubation at 15 degrees C before their spontaneous apoptosis at 37 degrees C. Released vesicles were quantified by flow cytometry. Membrane blebbing, release of bleb-derived membrane vesicles, decrease of CD43/CD16 expression and phosphatidylserine externalization occurred simultaneously. However, caspase and PKC inhibition prevented annexin binding but not blebbing, vesicle release or CD43 expression decrease; myosin light chain kinase inhibition prevented cell blebbing and vesicle release but had no effect on CD43/CD16 down-regulation or annexin V binding. By electron microscopy, CD43 appeared poorly expressed on membrane blebs and concentrated at bleb 'necks'. In conclusion, CD43 down-regulation is not caused by cell blebbing. Cell blebbing, phospholipid 'flip-flop' and CD43/CD16 down-regulation are independent membrane events.