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Updated: May 22, 2026

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

[Mesenchymal stem cells release membrane microparticles in the process of apoptosis]

Su-Yan Bian1, Hua Cui, Xin-Ning Zhang

  • 1Second Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi
|May 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release microparticles that mediate tissue repair. These membrane microparticles, released upon apoptosis induction, are key to MSC therapy mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Cell Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used clinically for tissue repair.
  • The exact mechanisms of MSC therapy are not fully understood, especially regarding cell death post-transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of dying MSCs in tissue repair.
  • To identify the mechanisms by which apoptotic MSCs exert therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

  • Rat bone marrow MSCs were induced to undergo apoptosis using hypoxia and serum-free conditions.
  • Subcellular structures in the cell culture supernatants were analyzed.
  • Flow cytometry and ultracentrifugation were used to characterize released microparticles.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis was successfully induced in MSCs, with a significant proportion undergoing cell death under combined stress conditions.
  • Apoptotic MSCs released substantial amounts of membrane microparticles into the supernatant.
  • These microparticles expressed specific markers (CD29, CD44A, Annexin-V-binding phosphatidylserine), indicating their origin and membrane integrity.

Conclusions:

  • MSCs release membrane microparticles upon induction of apoptosis.
  • These microparticles, significantly outnumbering parent cells, act as mediators in cell-to-tissue communication.
  • This finding offers novel insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of MSCs.

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