During apoptosis, cells can disassemble into smaller membrane-bound extracellular vesicles that promote apoptotic cell clearance and mediate intercellular communication. Previous work by Poon and colleagues showed that the generation of such apoptotic bodies in T cells is a highly regulated, multistep process that involves string-like membrane protrusions known as apoptopodia. This study describes the presence of 'beaded' apoptopodia in primary human monocytes and in a monocytic cell line undergoing apoptosis, from which apoptotic bodies termed 'beads' can be cleaved. Nuclear DNA and proteins are excluded from the beaded apoptopodia, which indicates that intracellular contents can be actively sorted into the beads. Using a flow cytometry-based screen, the authors identified the antidepressant drug sertraline as inhibiting bead formation without affecting the formation of membrane blebs or overall apoptosis. Sertraline is thought to inhibit beaded apoptopodia through effects on vesicle trafficking.
References
Atkin-Smith, G. K. et al. A novel mechanism of generating extracellular vesicles during apoptosis via a beads-on-a-string membrane structure. Nat. Commun. 6, 7439 (2015)
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Minton, K. Apoptotic beads on a string. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 16, 453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm4034
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm4034