Necrotic or Pathologically Altered Tissue Plasma Membrane Phospholipid Molecules

Necrotic or pathologically altered tissue plasma membrane phospholipid molecules refer to specific lipid components of the cell membrane that undergo structural and functional changes during necrosis or pathological cell death. The most notable among these is phosphatidylserine (PS), a glycerophospholipid normally confined to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in healthy cells. During necrosis, as well as other forms of regulated cell death (e.g., apoptosis, necroptosis), PS and potentially other phospholipids become exposed on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, serving as signals for immune recognition and clearance.

Other names

Phosphatidylserine (PS) externalizationExposed Phospholipids on Necrotic CellsNecrotic cell "eat-me" signals

Targeting exposed phospholipids like PS has been explored for imaging dying tissues/tumors and developing therapies aimed at modulating immune responses associated with tissue damage/inflammation.