Extract

Introduction

Cellular microparticles (MP) are submicrometric fragments resulting from the remodelling of the plasma membrane in response to numerous conditions, including activation and apoptosis [1]. The general consensus is that MP are small (<1 μm), expose the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PhtdSer) and express membrane antigens that reflect their cellular origin. These characteristics discriminate MP from exosomes, which are smaller (<0.1 μm), originate from intracellular multivesicular bodies and differ in antigenic composition [2].

MP formation, composition and functions

All cell types shed MP according to an active process controlling plasma membrane remodelling and antigenic turnover. Among the mechanisms proposed, disruption of the natural asymmetric distribution of membrane phospholipids is thought to be an important step explaining the translocation of PhtdSer to the exoplasmic leaflet before membrane blebbing and MP shedding. Although calcium entry, activation of calpains and scramblase activity have been reported to be important processes [3], the exact mechanisms governing MP formation are not completely understood.

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