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Programmed cell death and its protective role with particular reference to apoptosis
R Schulte-Hermann1, W Bursch, B Kraupp-Grasl
1Institute for Tumorbiology-Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death involved in growth control of tissues. It is considered as a cellular suicide functionally opposite to mitosis. It may serve to remove "unwanted" damaged or dangerous, e.g. precancerous, cells. Chemical compounds can interfere with the regulatory network which controls apoptosis and can thereby stimulate or prevent cell death. Both induction or inhibition of apoptosis may result in various diseases such as of the immune system, malformation or tumor development. The protective role of apoptosis against carcinogenesis is described in some detail. Tumor formation seems to occur through several stages, namely initiation, promotion, progression, and involves formation and growth of premalignant cell populations. At least in some model systems initiated cells and premalignant cell populations have been found to exhibit enhanced cell replication, but also enhanced apoptotic activity as compared to the normal tissue. Therefore, initiated cells may be eliminated by apoptosis. Tumor promoters can inhibit apoptosis in putative preneoplastic cells and thereby accelerate tumor development. Furthermore, in hormone-dependent cancers malignant cells may undergo massive apoptosis in response to hormone withdrawal or antihormone treatment. Finally, the regulation of apoptosis will be addressed. Our results suggest that transforming growth factor beta 1, a negative regulator of epithelial tissue growth, is a signal inducing apoptosis of liver cells.
Insights
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, protects against cancer by eliminating abnormal cells. Transforming growth factor beta 1 induces apoptosis in liver cells, highlighting its role in tissue regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical process for tissue growth control and removing damaged or precancerous cells.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in various diseases, including immune disorders, malformations, and cancer development.
- Apoptosis plays a protective role against carcinogenesis by eliminating initiated cells and premalignant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in cancer development and regulation.
- To explore how chemical compounds and specific growth factors influence apoptosis.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways that induce apoptosis in specific cell types, such as liver cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on apoptosis and carcinogenesis.
- Analysis of cellular mechanisms underlying apoptosis induction and inhibition.
- Experimental investigation of transforming growth factor beta 1's effect on liver cell apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Tumor promoters can inhibit apoptosis in preneoplastic cells, accelerating tumor development.
- Hormone-dependent cancer cells can undergo apoptosis upon hormone withdrawal.
- Transforming growth factor beta 1 was identified as a signal that induces apoptosis in liver cells.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis is a key mechanism in preventing cancer initiation and progression.
- Targeting apoptosis pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
- Transforming growth factor beta 1's pro-apoptotic function in liver cells has implications for liver health and disease.