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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Generation of Lymphocytic Microparticles and Detection of their Proapoptotic Effect on Airway Epithelial Cells
Published on: February 20, 2015
Cell-derived microparticles and the lung
Dario Nieri1, Tommaso Neri1, Silvia Petrini2
1Laboratorio di Biologia Cellulare Respiratoria, SVD Fisiopatologia Respiratoria e Riabilitazione, Dipartimento di Patologia Chirurgica, Medica, Molecolare e dell'Area Critica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy Both authors contributed equally.
Abstract:
Cell-derived microparticles are small (0.1-1 μm) vesicles shed by most eukaryotic cells upon activation or during apoptosis. Microparticles carry on their surface, and enclose within their cytoplasm, molecules derived from the parental cell, including proteins, DNA, RNA, microRNA and phospholipids. Microparticles are now considered functional units that represent a disseminated storage pool of bioactive effectors and participate both in the maintenance of homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diseases. The mechanisms involved in microparticle generation include intracellular calcium mobilisation, cytoskeleton rearrangement, kinase phosphorylation and activation of the nuclear factor-κB. The role of microparticles in blood coagulation and inflammation, including airway inflammation, is well established in in vitro and animal models. The role of microparticles in human pulmonary diseases, both as pathogenic determinants and biomarkers, is being actively investigated. Microparticles of endothelial origin, suggestive of apoptosis, have been demonstrated in the peripheral blood of patients with emphysema, lending support to the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and represent a link with cardiovascular comorbidities. Microparticles also have potential roles in patients with asthma, diffuse parenchymal lung disease, thromboembolism, lung cancer and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Insights
Cell-derived microparticles are vesicles released by cells, carrying cellular material and influencing health and disease. Research is exploring their role in lung diseases like emphysema and asthma.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Cell-derived microparticles (0.1-1 µm) are vesicles released by eukaryotic cells during activation or apoptosis.
- These particles contain proteins, DNA, RNA, and phospholipids from their parent cell.
- Microparticles are recognized as functional units involved in homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell-derived microparticles in human pulmonary diseases.
- To explore microparticles as potential pathogenic determinants and biomarkers.
- To understand the link between microparticles, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular comorbidities in lung diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microparticle generation and function.
- Analysis of studies investigating microparticles in various human pulmonary conditions.
- Examination of mechanisms of microparticle formation, including calcium mobilization and kinase phosphorylation.
Main Results:
- Microparticle involvement in blood coagulation and inflammation, including airway inflammation, is established in preclinical models.
- Endothelial microparticles, indicative of apoptosis, are found in emphysema patients, suggesting a role in endothelial dysfunction.
- Microparticles show potential roles in asthma, diffuse parenchymal lung disease, thromboembolism, lung cancer, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Cell-derived microparticles are significant in maintaining homeostasis and disease development.
- Further investigation into microparticles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in pulmonary diseases is warranted.
- Microparticle research offers insights into the pathogenesis of lung diseases and associated cardiovascular issues.
