Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
09:26
Generation of Lymphocytic Microparticles and Detection of their Proapoptotic Effect on Airway Epithelial Cells
Published on: February 20, 2015
9.6K
[Role of microparticles in intercellular communication]
Tsitologiia
|February 21, 2015
Summary
Cellular communication relies on transferring molecules. This review explores microparticles, vesicles from cell membranes, as key signal carriers in intercellular communication and adaptive reactions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Intercellular communication is vital for adaptive reactions.
- Current understanding of intercellular transport mechanisms, especially in the intercellular space, is limited.
- Cell-to-cell transfer of bioactive substances occurs locally and systemically.
Purpose:
- To summarize current knowledge on microparticles as mediators of intercellular communication.
- To highlight the role of microparticles in signal transduction.
- To review the composition and function of microparticles.
Summary:
- Microparticles are membrane-derived vesicles containing molecules from the cell's membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.
- These microparticles are secreted and act as carriers of bioactive molecules, facilitating signal transduction.
- Blood plasma microparticles are implicated in crucial physiological processes such as coagulation, inflammation, and immune responses.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of microparticle-mediated intercellular communication.
- Identifies microparticles as significant players in physiological and pathological processes.
- Suggests potential for microparticles as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
15.0K
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
15.0K
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
134.6K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
134.6K
01:23Overview of Cell Signaling
27.0K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
27.0K
01:30Micelles
282
Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...
282
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
48.9K
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
48.9K
01:22Microtubules in Signaling
2.3K
The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
2.3K