Characterization of Large Extracellular Vesicles Released by Apoptotic and Pyroptotic Cells.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key factors in maintaining cellular homeostasis, critical mediators of intercellular communication, potential biomarkers, and therapeutic tools. While small EVs have been extensively characterized, the molecular signatures of large EVs (including those generated during regulated cell death pathways) remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the characteristics of large EVs released during apoptosis and pyroptosis by human monocytic cell lines (THP-1 and U937). Apoptosis was induced by staurosporine and blocked using the pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh, whereas pyroptosis was triggered by LPS/nigericin and inhibited with a selective NLRP3 inhibitor. We found that both forms of regulated cell death markedly enhanced the release of large EVs. Bot

SUBMITTER: Khamari D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841904 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature