Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

On the TRAIL to apoptosis

Tudor M Baetu1, John Hiscott

  • 1Terry Fox Molecular Oncology Group, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3755 Cote St. Catherine, Montreal, Que., Canada H3T 1E2.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|December 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) shows promise as a cancer therapy by selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Understanding TRAIL and its receptor regulation is key to developing effective cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial in mammalian cells, initiated via death receptors or mitochondrial pathways.
  • TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells, unlike normal cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
  • NF-kappa B transcription factors regulate TRAIL expression in lymphocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the therapeutic potential of TRAIL in cancer treatment.
  • To investigate the differential regulation of TRAIL death and decoy receptors in cancer cells.
  • To understand the role of TRAIL signaling in tumor cell elimination.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TRAIL and its receptor expression in cancer cell lines.
  • Investigating the signaling pathways of TRAIL-R1/DR4, TRAIL-R2/DR5, TRAIL-R3/DcR1, and TRAIL-R4/DcR2.
  • Review of existing literature on TRAIL pathway regulation by transcription factors like NF-kappa B.

Main Results:

  • TRAIL preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines.
  • Cancer cells often overexpress death receptors (TRAIL-R1/DR4, TRAIL-R2/DR5) compared to decoy receptors.
  • NF-kappa B is a key regulator of TRAIL expression.

Conclusions:

  • TRAIL signaling pathway is a promising target for cancer therapy.
  • Differential expression of TRAIL receptors suggests specific regulatory mechanisms in cancer.
  • Further research into TRAIL regulation and function can guide the development of novel cancer treatments.

More Related Videos

Detecting Anastasis In Vivo by CaspaseTracker Biosensor20:16

Detecting Anastasis In Vivo by CaspaseTracker Biosensor

Published on: February 1, 2018

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

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.
Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
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...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
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.
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...