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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Protocol for Human Blastoids Modeling Blastocyst Development and Implantation

Protocol for Human Blastoids Modeling Blastocyst Development and Implantation

Published on: August 10, 2022

Ruptoblasts: Explosive cytotoxicity from an ancient lineage.

Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado¹

¹Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology

|July 11, 2026

Summary

Glandular cells called ruptoblasts can kill neighboring cells through a process called ruptosis, triggered by hormonal signals. This discovery challenges the traditional view of cytotoxic immunity originating solely from blood cells.

Keywords:

activin cytotoxic immunity planarian regeneration regulated cell death ruptoblast ruptosis

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Evaluating Primary Blast Effects In Vitro

Evaluating Primary Blast Effects In Vitro

Published on: September 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Immunology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Cytotoxic immunity, the defense against infected or cancerous cells, has historically been associated with immune cells in the bloodstream.
The mechanisms and origins of ancient immune strategies remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate non-hematopoietic cytotoxic mechanisms.
To characterize a novel cell death pathway involved in inter-kingdom defense.

Main Methods:

Observation of cellular behavior in response to hormonal stimuli.
Microscopic analysis of cell death processes.
Comparative analysis across different biological kingdoms.

Main Results:

Identification of "ruptoblasts," specialized glandular cells.
Demonstration of "ruptosis," a form of programmed cell death involving cellular explosion.
Evidence of ruptosis mediating cell killing across kingdoms, triggered by hormonal cues.

Conclusions:

Cytotoxic immunity is not exclusive to blood-derived cells.
Ruptosis represents a potentially ancient form of cell-mediated defense.
Further research into ruptosis may reveal lost immune strategies in model organisms.