Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons
11:40

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

Published on: November 14, 2018

Microparticles as a source of extracellular DNA

David S Pisetsky1, Julie Gauley, Anirudh J Ullal

  • 1Medical Research Service, Durham VAMC, 151G, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA. piset001@mc.duke.edu

Immunologic Research
|December 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Microparticles, small vesicles from dying cells, carry DNA that may trigger autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This extracellular DNA acts as a key autoantigen and autoadjuvant in SLE pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

  • Microparticles are vesicles released from activated or dying cells.
  • They contain cytoplasmic and nuclear molecules, including DNA.
  • Microparticles exhibit pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic activities relevant to disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microparticles in carrying DNA.
  • To determine if DNA within microparticles is antigenically active.
  • To assess the significance of microparticle-associated DNA in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of microparticle composition during apoptotic cell death.
  • Assessment of DNA presence and antigenicity within microparticles.
  • Evaluation of microparticle DNA binding to autoantibodies.

Main Results:

  • DNA is prominently found within microparticles during apoptosis.
  • This microparticle-associated DNA is antigenically active.
  • The DNA can bind to lupus anti-DNA autoantibodies, suggesting a role in SLE.

Conclusions:

  • Microparticles serve as a significant source of extracellular DNA.
  • This DNA acts as a critical autoantigen and autoadjuvant in SLE.
  • Microparticles are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells14:26

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Published on: April 4, 2016

Related Concept Videos

DNA Isolation01:24

DNA Isolation

DNA isolation protocols can be fast and straightforward or complex and time-consuming depending on the type and quality of DNA required for further processing. For example, plasmid DNA extraction is a bit more complicated than genomic DNA extraction because of the need for an appropriate lysis method to separate plasmid DNA from gDNA during isolation. However, for specific applications, such as long-range DNA sequencing that require a good yield of high- quality DNA samples, we need to follow...
DNA Isolation01:34

DNA Isolation

DNA from cells is required for many biotechnology and research applications, such as molecular cloning. To remove and purify DNA from cells, researchers use various methods of DNA extraction. While the specifics of different protocols may vary, some general concepts underlie the process of DNA extraction.
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes00:58

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.