title: Stabilization of apoptotic cells: generation of zombie cells.
abstract: Apoptosis is characterized by degradation of cell components but plasma membrane remains intact. Apoptotic microtubule network (AMN) is organized during apoptosis forming a cortical structure beneath plasma membrane that maintains plasma membrane integrity. Apoptotic cells are also characterized by high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that can be potentially harmful for the cell. The aim of this study was to develop a method that allows stabilizing apoptotic cells for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. By using a cocktail composed of taxol (a microtubule stabilizer), Zn(2+) (a caspase inhibitor) and coenzyme Q10 (a lipid antioxidant), we were able to stabilize H460 apoptotic cells in cell cultures for at least 72 h, preventing secondary necrosis. Stabilized apoptotic cells maintain many apoptotic cell characteristics such as the presence of apoptotic microtubules, plasma membrane integrity, low intracellular calcium levels and mitochondrial polarization. Apoptotic cell stabilization may open new avenues in apoptosis detection and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oropesa-Ávila
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurociencia Celular y Plasticidad, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Andrade-Talavera
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garrido-Maraver
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Mata
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cotán
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Paz
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pavón
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alcocer-Gómez
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Lavera
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lema
authors.affiliation: Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Zaderenko
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurociencia Celular y Plasticidad, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Alcázar
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000633:toxicity; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000633:toxicity; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D053499:Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014451:Ubiquinone; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D053148:Caspase 3; D053499:Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D015032:Zinc; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002118:Calcium; D002166:Camptothecin