A novel mechanism of generating extracellular vesicles during apoptosis via a beads-on-a-string membrane structure

Georgia K. Atkin-Smith, Rochelle Tixeira, Stephanie Paone, Suresh Mathivanan, Christine Collins, Michael Liem, Katharine J. Goodall, Kodi S. Ravichandran, Mark D. Hulett and Ivan K.H. Poon ()
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Georgia K. Atkin-Smith: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Rochelle Tixeira: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Stephanie Paone: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Suresh Mathivanan: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Christine Collins: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Michael Liem: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Katharine J. Goodall: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Kodi S. Ravichandran: Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia
Mark D. Hulett: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Ivan K.H. Poon: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Disassembly of apoptotic cells into smaller fragments (a form of extracellular vesicle called apoptotic bodies) can facilitate removal of apoptotic debris and intercellular communication. However, the mechanism underpinning this process is unclear. While observing monocytes undergoing apoptosis by time-lapse microscopy, we discovered a new type of membrane protrusion that resembles a ‘beads-on-a-string’ structure. Strikingly, the ‘beads’ are frequently sheared off the ‘string’ to form apoptotic bodies. Generation of apoptotic bodies via this mechanism can facilitate a sorting process and results in the exclusion of nuclear contents from apoptotic bodies. Mechanistically, generation of ‘beads-on-a-string’ protrusion is controlled by the level of actomyosin contraction and apoptopodia formation. Furthermore, in an unbiased drug screen, we identified the ability of sertraline (an antidepressant) to block the formation of ‘beads-on-a-string’ protrusions and apoptotic bodies. These data uncover a new mechanism of apoptotic body formation in monocytes and also compounds that can modulate this process.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8439

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