Entosis: Cell-in-Cell Formation that Kills Through Entotic Cell Death

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O Florey, S E Kim, M Overholtzer1

  • 1Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA. overhom1@mskcc.org.

Current Molecular Medicine
|October 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Entosis is a cell-in-cell process where viable cells invade and are engulfed by others. This leads to a unique cell death pathway, entotic cell death, with potential roles in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Death Mechanisms

Background:

  • Entosis is a cell-in-cell phenomenon observed in epithelial tissues and tumors.
  • Internalized cells remain viable but are destined for a non-apoptotic death.
  • This process is regulated by Rho-GTPase and actomyosin pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of entosis.
  • To discuss the mechanism of entotic cell death.
  • To explore the potential involvement of entosis in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of entosis and entotic cell death.
  • Analysis of Rho-GTPase and actomyosin involvement.
  • Examination of the role of autophagy and lysosomes in entotic cell death.

Main Results:

  • Entosis involves active invasion of viable cells into host cells.
  • Entotic cell death is a non-apoptotic, non-cell-autonomous process.
  • Autophagy proteins and lysosomes are crucial for executing entotic cell death.

Conclusions:

  • Entosis is a regulated cell uptake mechanism.
  • Entotic cell death represents a distinct form of programmed cell death.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of entosis in cancer progression and therapy.

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