title: Membrane microparticles: two sides of the coin.
abstract: Microparticles are plasma membrane-derived vesicles shed from stimulated cells, in the broad sense of the term. Their presence is interpreted by proximal or remote cells in fundamental physiological processes including intercellular communication, hemostasis, and immunity. On the other hand, variations of their number or characteristics are frequently observed in pathophysiological situations.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Hématologie et d'Immunologie, Université Louis Pasteur, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hugel
authors.forename: M Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kunzelmann
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Freyssinet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D010316:Particle Size; D021381:Protein Transport