Apoptosis and the clearance of apoptotic cells are essential processes in animal development and homeostasis. For apoptotic cells to be cleared, they must display an 'eat me' signal, most likely phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) exposure, which prompts phagocytes to engulf the cells. PtdSer, which is recognized by several different systems, is normally confined to the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by a 'flippase'; apoptosis activates a 'scramblase' that quickly exposes PtdSer on the cell surface. The molecules that flip and scramble phospholipids at the plasma membrane have recently been identified. Here we discuss recent findings regarding the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic PtdSer exposure and the clearance of apoptotic cells.

• PMID: 26437594
 
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2015.08.003

適正な細胞死は生物が生育生存するうえで必要な過程である。死細胞のクリアランスのために、食細胞に認識される必要性がありその物質は多くの場合フォスファチジルセリンである　細胞死によって脂質膜から細胞表面にフォスファチジルセリンが表出さる

Apoptosis is a physiological form of cell death required to ensure that the rate of cell division is balanced by the rate of cell death in multicellular organisms. Dysregulation of apoptosis is associated with the pathogenesis of a wide array of diseases: cancer, neurodegeneration, autoimmunity, heart disease and others. In this review we collect arguments supporting a hypothesis of a dysregulated apoptosis leading to development of autoimmunity like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This notion is supported by occurence of known autoantigens in apoptotic blebs, in vitro findings of an increased rate of apoptotic lymphoblasts despite optimal cytokine stimulation combined with a defective in vitro clearance of apoptotic bodies by SLE phagocytes. Moreover, we and others could generate histone-specific lymphocytic cell lines from cells after activation with autologous apoptotic material. These lymphocytes could stimulate autologous B-lymphocytes to produce of anti-dsDNA antibodies, a diagnostic hallmark for SLE. Finally, antibodies against phospholipids like phosphatidylserine are often associated with systemic autoimmunopathies like SLE and others. Phosphatidylserine is exposed on apoptotic cells as early sign of programmed cell death and serves as phagocyte recognition molecule for apoptotic cells. Formation of immune complexes and deposition in tissues might lead to organ damage and disease. This scenario will be discussed in this review in detail.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the most abundant negatively charged phospholipid in eukaryotic membranes. PS directs the binding of proteins that bear C2 or gamma-carboxyglutamic domains and contributes to the electrostatic association of polycationic ligands with cellular membranes. Rather than being evenly distributed, PS is found preferentially in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and in endocytic membranes. The loss of PS asymmetry is an early indicator of apoptosis and serves as a signal to initiate blood clotting. This review discusses the determinants and functional implications of the subcellular distribution and membrane topology of PS.

フォスファチジルセリンの非対称性の喪失つまり膜上への表出は細胞ストレスの早期指標で血栓の端緒となる