The cell biology of cell-in-cell structures.
For decades, authors have described unusual cell structures, referred to as cell-in-cell structures, in which whole cells are found in the cytoplasm of other cells. One well-characterized process that results in the transient appearance of such structures is the engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytosis. However, many other types of cell-in-cell structure have been described that involve viable non-apoptotic cells. Some of these structures seem to form by the invasion of one cell into another, rather than by engulfment. The mechanisms of cell-in-cell formation and the possible physiological roles of these processes will be discussed.
Overholtzer
Michael
M
Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA. Michael_Overholtzer@hms.harvard.edu
Brugge
Joan S
JS
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication; D002459:Cell Fusion; D022082:Cellular Structures / Q000502:physiology*; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000502:physiology