bims-migras 2026-04-12 papers

Issue of 2026–04–12
three papers selected by
Cliff Dominy

Cell Cycle. 2026 Dec;25(1): 1-20

Migrasomes: new communicators between cells.

Junxian He, Jiazu Sa, Zhengjun Zhou, Ming Wang, Tao Li, Ligang Chen, Jie Zhou.

Migrasomes are a recently discovered class of organelles, typically generated at the intersections and tips of retraction fibers (RFs) in migrating cells. These monolayer vesicular structures encapsulate a variety of bioactive molecules and have been shown to participate in essential physiological processes, including intercellular communication, embryonic development, immune microenvironment modulation, and mitochondrial homeostasis. Beyond their physiological roles, accumulating evidence has revealed that migrasomes are also closely associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. These include kidney and retinal damage, vascular disorders, as well as the initiation and progression of multiple tumors such as glioma, osteosarcoma, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Given their emerging significance in both normal physiology and disease, migrasomes hold promise as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, offering new avenues for research in cell biology and translational medicine.In this review, we summarize recent advances in migrasome research, with a particular emphasis on their involvement in disease mechanisms - an area of growing importance given the current limitations in clinical treatment. We also provide perspectives on future research directions and the potential translational applications of migrasomes.

Keywords: Cell biology; diseases; immunology; organelle

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15384101.2026.2655296

Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 10.

PGC-derived migrasomes couple PGC proliferation with migration.

Boqi Liu, Zheng Jiang, Wenhao Song, Zhaocheng Zhai, Yaqi Li, Weiying Zhang, Anming Meng, Li Yu.

The coordination of cell migration and proliferation is essential for embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. However, the classical gradient signaling model is insufficient to explain how stable mitogenic signaling is maintained within migratory cells. Here, we reveal that primordial germ cells (PGCs) in zebrafish employ migrasomes-vesicular organelles formed during migration-to couple their proliferation with migration, ensuring germline expansion. Migrasomes, generated at retraction fibers via tspan7-dependent biogenesis, deliver the growth factor GDF3 specifically to neighboring PGCs through contact-dependent interactions. GDF3 activates the TGF-β receptor acvr1ba, driving proliferation in a spatiotemporally restricted manner. This homocrine signaling mechanism allows migrating PGCs to autonomously sustain proliferation, circumventing signal dilution in embryonic environments. This work uncovers migrasomes as a bridge linking migration and proliferation, with implications for understanding collective cell behaviors in development and disease.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71616-4

Chem Biol Interact. 2026 Apr 07. pii: S0009-2797(26)00184-5. [Epub ahead of print] 112076

Magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (struvite) crystals induce macrophage extracellular traps, migrasomes and pyroptosis.

Xin-Yi Tong, Wei-Jian Nong, Zhang Jia-Yi, Jian-Ming Ouyang.

Current research on magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MAP) stones has focused exclusively on MAP crystal formation, while the mechanisms by which MAP crystals damage macrophages and contribute to stone formation remain unreported. Given the prevalence of urinary tract inflammation and cellular injury in MAP stone patients, and the pivotal role of macrophages in inflammation, this study investigated the interaction between MAP crystals and macrophages, as well as their potential effects on MAP stone formation. MAP crystals (≈4 μm) were synthesized, characterized, and their interaction with macrophages, cytotoxicity, and expression of key proteins in the caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis pathway were detected. Results showed MAP crystals had significant cytotoxicity. Besides canonical endocytosis and adhesion, they induced macrophage extracellular traps (METs), a newly identified interaction between MAP crystals and macrophages. MAP crystals also triggered massive migrasome production to exacerbate local inflammation (not observed in MAP-saturated solution) and induced more pronounced macrophage pyroptosis than MAP solution. In conclusion, MAP crystals induce METs formation, migrasome production, and pyroptosis in macrophages, impairing the macrophage biomembrane system and exacerbating inflammation, thereby increasing stone formation risk, providing a scientific basis for elucidating MAP stone formation mechanisms.

Keywords: Macrophage Extracellular Traps; Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Hexahydrate; Migrasomes; Pyroptosis; Struvite

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112076