[HTML][HTML] Blebbing confers resistance against cell lysis

EB Babiychuk, K Monastyrskaya, S Potez… - Cell Death & …, 2011 - nature.com
EB Babiychuk, K Monastyrskaya, S Potez, A Draeger
Cell Death & Differentiation, 2011nature.com
The plasma membrane constitutes a barrier that maintains the essential differences between
the cytosol and the extracellular environment. Plasmalemmal injury is a common event
during the life of many cells that often leads to their premature, necrotic death. Blebbing–a
display of plasmalemmal protrusions–is a characteristic feature of injured cells. In this study,
we disclose a previously unknown role for blebbing in furnishing resistance to
plasmalemmal injury. Blebs serve as precursors for injury-induced intracellular …
Abstract
The plasma membrane constitutes a barrier that maintains the essential differences between the cytosol and the extracellular environment. Plasmalemmal injury is a common event during the life of many cells that often leads to their premature, necrotic death. Blebbing–a display of plasmalemmal protrusions–is a characteristic feature of injured cells. In this study, we disclose a previously unknown role for blebbing in furnishing resistance to plasmalemmal injury. Blebs serve as precursors for injury-induced intracellular compartments that trap damaged segments of the plasma membrane. Hence, loss of cytosol and the detrimental influx of extracellular constituents are confined to blebs that are sealed off from the cell body by plugs of annexin A1–a Ca 2+-and membrane-binding protein. Our findings shed light on a fundamental process that contributes to the survival of injured cells. By targeting annexin A1/blebbing, new therapeutic approaches could be developed to avert the necrotic loss of cells in a variety of human pathologies.
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