Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Clearance of apoptotic cells: getting rid of the corpses

Kirsten Lauber1, Sibylle G Blumenthal, Michaela Waibel

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.

Molecular Cell
|May 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Efficient removal of apoptotic cells is vital for tissue health and preventing autoimmune diseases. This review details the signals involved in clearing cellular debris, including new findings on lysophosphatidylcholine.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Efficient apoptotic cell clearance maintains tissue homeostasis.
  • Defective removal of apoptotic cells is linked to autoimmune disorders.
  • Key signals include "find-me," "eat-me," and "don't-eat-me" signals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of apoptotic cell removal.
  • To present a simplified model of the phagocytic synapse.
  • To discuss the role of lysophosphatidylcholine in apoptotic cell clearance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of apoptotic cell clearance mechanisms.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in phagocytosis.
  • Discussion of molecular interactions at the phagocytic synapse.

Main Results:

  • Apoptotic cells utilize specific signals to be recognized and cleared.
  • Phagocytes employ bridging and receptor molecules for efficient engulfment.
  • Lysophosphatidylcholine acts as a novel soluble attraction signal.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding apoptotic cell clearance is critical for preventing autoimmune diseases.
  • The phagocytic synapse model simplifies complex cellular interactions.
  • Lysophosphatidylcholine represents a significant advancement in understanding cellular debris removal.

More Related Videos

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...