No need to “sugar coat”: Removing glycocalyx on apoptotic blebs promotes phagocytosis

The viscous glycocalyx of mammalian cells, composed of glucosaminoglycans, glycolipids, and glycoproteins, "sugar coat" the outer plasma membrane. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Le et al. (2024) show that the glycocalyx is removed from apoptotic blebs via disassembly of the cortical cytoskeleton, exposing the "eat-me" signals necessary for efferocytosis. The viscous glycocalyx of mammalian cells, composed of glucosaminoglycans, glycolipids, and glycoproteins, "sugar coat" the outer plasma membrane. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Le et al. (2024) show that the glycocalyx is removed from apoptotic blebs via disassembly of the cortical cytoskeleton, exposing the "eat-me" signals necessary for efferocytosis. Redistribution of the glycocalyx exposes phagocytic determinants on apoptotic cellsLe et al.Developmental CellFebruary 14, 2024In BriefLe et al. report that during apoptosis, the plasmalemma-associated cytoskeleton redistributes and weakens, leading to the formation of blebs denuded of the glycocalyx. Displacement of the bulky glycocalyx, which can obstruct the access of phagocytes, enables the engulfment of apoptotic cells, including those with a rich glycocalyx, such as mucinous tumors. Full-Text PDF