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Endocytosis and non-canonical autophagy mediate extracellular histones cytotoxicity in vascular models of sepsis

Garcés, C. ; Tascón, P. ; Diago-Domingo, Luis ; Ibáñez, A. J. ; Herrera, G. ; Rodríguez, L. R. LU orcid ; Salewskij, K. ; Jonsson, G. ; Penninger, J. M. and Romá-Mateo, C. , et al. (2026) In Frontiers in Immunology 16.
Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis, a widespread global ailment, involves an exaggerated immune response, leading to hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. Extracellular histones, released during hyperinflammation as part of the defensive response against pathogens, significantly contribute to sepsis pathogenesis, compromising viability of the host’s endothelial cells and contributing to organ failure. Methods: This study explores the link between cytotoxic effects of extracellular histones and endocytosis mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and blood vessel organoids (BVOs) incubated with extracellular histones and different modulators of endocytosis mechanisms. Results: Exposure to various doses of purified extracellular... (More)

Introduction: Sepsis, a widespread global ailment, involves an exaggerated immune response, leading to hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. Extracellular histones, released during hyperinflammation as part of the defensive response against pathogens, significantly contribute to sepsis pathogenesis, compromising viability of the host’s endothelial cells and contributing to organ failure. Methods: This study explores the link between cytotoxic effects of extracellular histones and endocytosis mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and blood vessel organoids (BVOs) incubated with extracellular histones and different modulators of endocytosis mechanisms. Results: Exposure to various doses of purified extracellular histones in both HUVECs cultures and BVOs revealed sub-lethal doses leading to histone entry and colocalization with the autophagy mediator LC3B, whereas high doses induced cytotoxicity. Incubating cells or organoids at low temperature before histone exposure prevented entry, reducing colocalization with LC3B and cell death; moreover, inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis abrogated histone entry into HUVECs and prevented their cytotoxic effects, whereas inhibition of caveolin-mediated mechanisms had no effect. Discussion: In summary, this study offers insights into histones’ cytotoxicity and functional interactions with the LC3B-mediated, non-canonical autophagy pathway, enhancing our understanding of the molecular bases of sepsis pathophysiology within HUVEC and blood vessel organoids.

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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
blood vessel organoids, endocytosis, extracellular histones, HUVEC, LC3-associated endocytosis, LC3B, non-canonical autophagy, sepsis
in
Frontiers in Immunology
volume
16
article number
1650789
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105028876306
  • pmid:41613110
ISSN
1664-3224
DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2025.1650789
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
42a605a2-c9f3-44d2-ae6e-893320942e8a
date added to LUP
2026-02-25 10:26:37
date last changed
2026-04-22 21:51:32
@article{42a605a2-c9f3-44d2-ae6e-893320942e8a,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction: Sepsis, a widespread global ailment, involves an exaggerated immune response, leading to hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. Extracellular histones, released during hyperinflammation as part of the defensive response against pathogens, significantly contribute to sepsis pathogenesis, compromising viability of the host’s endothelial cells and contributing to organ failure. Methods: This study explores the link between cytotoxic effects of extracellular histones and endocytosis mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and blood vessel organoids (BVOs) incubated with extracellular histones and different modulators of endocytosis mechanisms. Results: Exposure to various doses of purified extracellular histones in both HUVECs cultures and BVOs revealed sub-lethal doses leading to histone entry and colocalization with the autophagy mediator LC3B, whereas high doses induced cytotoxicity. Incubating cells or organoids at low temperature before histone exposure prevented entry, reducing colocalization with LC3B and cell death; moreover, inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis abrogated histone entry into HUVECs and prevented their cytotoxic effects, whereas inhibition of caveolin-mediated mechanisms had no effect. Discussion: In summary, this study offers insights into histones’ cytotoxicity and functional interactions with the LC3B-mediated, non-canonical autophagy pathway, enhancing our understanding of the molecular bases of sepsis pathophysiology within HUVEC and blood vessel organoids.</p>}},
  author       = {{Garcés, C. and Tascón, P. and Diago-Domingo, Luis and Ibáñez, A. J. and Herrera, G. and Rodríguez, L. R. and Salewskij, K. and Jonsson, G. and Penninger, J. M. and Romá-Mateo, C. and Pallardó, F. V.}},
  issn         = {{1664-3224}},
  keywords     = {{blood vessel organoids; endocytosis; extracellular histones; HUVEC; LC3-associated endocytosis; LC3B; non-canonical autophagy; sepsis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Immunology}},
  title        = {{Endocytosis and non-canonical autophagy mediate extracellular histones cytotoxicity in vascular models of sepsis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1650789}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fimmu.2025.1650789}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}