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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
12:06

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Apoptosis in the nervous system.

J Yuan1, B A Yankner

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. junying_yuan@hms.harvard.edu

Nature
|October 26, 2000
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neuronal apoptosis is key in brain development and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding its molecular pathways, like those involving Apaf-1 and Bcl-2, offers therapeutic targets for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

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Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
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Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
12:06

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
10:36

Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Published on: November 7, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Neuronal apoptosis (programmed cell death) is crucial for brain development.
  • It plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Key molecular players include Apaf-1 (apoptotic protease-activating factor 1), Bcl-2 family proteins, and caspases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of neuronal apoptosis.
  • To explore the role of neurotrophins and associated signaling pathways in regulating neuronal cell death.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases by understanding cell death machinery.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of molecular components of apoptosis in neurons.
  • Investigation of protein kinase cascades, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.
  • Examination of cell-death-signaling pathways in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Main Results:

  • Identified Apaf-1, Bcl-2 family proteins, and caspases as principal molecular components of neuronal apoptosis.
  • Demonstrated that neurotrophins regulate neuronal apoptosis via phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.
  • Highlighted the potential activation of similar cell-death pathways by abnormal protein structures (e.g., amyloid fibrils) in neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal apoptosis is a complex process involving specific molecular components and signaling pathways.
  • Understanding these pathways provides insights into both normal brain development and disease states.
  • Elucidating neuronal cell death mechanisms offers promising avenues for therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases.