Avian erythrocytes have functional mitochondria, opening novel perspectives for birds as animal models in the study of ageing.

Antoine Stier (1) , Pierre Bize (2) , Quentin Schull (1) , Joffrey Zoll (3) , François Singh (3) , Bernard Geny (3) , Frédéric Gros (4) , Cathy Royer (5) , Sylvie Massemin (1) , François Criscuolo (1)

1 DEPE-IPHC - Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie
2 Department of Ecology and Evolution
3 Departement physiologie et explorations fonctionnelles
4 ICT - Immunologie et chimie thérapeutiques
5 Plateforme Imagerie in vitro

BACKGROUND: In contrast to mammalian erythrocytes, which have lost their nucleus and mitochondria during maturation, the erythrocytes of almost all other vertebrate species are nucleated throughout their lifespan. Little research has been done however to test for the presence and functionality of mitochondria in these cells, especially for birds. Here, we investigated those two points in erythrocytes of one common avian model: the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). RESULTS: Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of mitochondria in erythrocytes of this small passerine bird, especially after removal of haemoglobin interferences. High-resolution respirometry revealed increased or decreased rates of oxygen consumption by erythrocytes in response to the addition of respiratory chain substrates or inhibitors, respectively. Fluorometric assays confirmed the production of mitochondrial superoxide by avian erythrocytes. Interestingly, measurements of plasmatic oxidative markers indicated lower oxidative stress in blood of the zebra finch compared to a size-matched mammalian model, the mouse. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, those findings demonstrate that avian erythrocytes possess functional mitochondria in terms of respiratory activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Interestingly, since blood oxidative stress was lower for our avian model compared to a size-matched mammalian, our results also challenge the idea that mitochondrial ROS production could have been one actor leading to this loss during the course of evolution. Opportunities to assess mitochondrial functioning in avian erythrocytes open new perspectives in the use of birds as models for longitudinal studies of ageing via lifelong blood sampling of the same subjects.

Mots clés: Red blood cell; ageing; mitochondria; ROS; oxidative stress; electron transport chain

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement; Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Antoine Stier, Pierre Bize, Quentin Schull, Joffrey Zoll, François Singh, et al.. Avian erythrocytes have functional mitochondria, opening novel perspectives for birds as animal models in the study of ageing.. Frontiers in Zoology, 2013, 10 (1), pp.33. ⟨10.1186/1742-9994-10-33⟩. ⟨hal-00838062⟩