Apoptotic Bodies: Particular Extracellular Vesicles Involved in Intercellular Communication

Abstract

This chapter introduces the importance of apoptotic bodies within the extracellular vesicle family. Extracellular vesicles can encapsulate small portions of the subjacent cytosol, creating a heterogeneous population of phospholipid-walled vesicles, which play an important role in intercellular communication, immune response, angiogenesis, and signal transduction, in both physiological and pathological conditions. Many different cell types undergo apoptosis, a physiologically-programmed cell death, commonly appearing in multicellular organisms and occasionally also described in yeasts and bacteria. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles, whose diameter ranges from 40 to 120 nm. While microvesicles and exosomes can operate as ‘safe containers’ mediating inter-cellular communication, apoptotic bodies appear after the disassembly of an apoptotic cell into subcellular fragments. Extracellular vesicles are emerging as potent sources of genetic information transfer between mammalian cells and tissues. The less-known apoptotic bodies need numerous and in-depth studies, to understand their role and their possible functions.

Topics & Concepts