Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Evaluating Cell Death Signaling by Immunofluorescence in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke
11:32

Evaluating Cell Death Signaling by Immunofluorescence in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke

Published on: January 3, 2025

Apoptosis in cerebral ischemia: executional and regulatory signaling mechanisms

Feng Zhang1, Wei Yin, Jun Chen

  • 1Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurodegenerative Disorders University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.

Neurological Research
|February 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death, including apoptosis, drives ischemic brain injury. Targeting upstream signaling pathways offers potential for neuroprotection against brain damage.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death, particularly apoptosis, is a key factor in the development of ischemic brain injury.
  • The specific cell death pathways and regulatory mechanisms involved in ischemic brain injury can differ based on injury severity and stage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the signaling mechanisms that regulate and execute cell death in ischemic brain injury.
  • To explore the potential of targeting these signaling pathways for neuroprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on programmed cell death and ischemic brain injury.
  • Analysis of executional and regulatory signaling pathways involved in neuronal cell death.

Main Results:

  • Identified varying executional pathways and regulatory signaling mechanisms in ischemic brain injury.
  • Highlighted the potential for targeting upstream signaling for neuroprotection.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the molecular regulation of cell death pathways is crucial for developing effective neuroprotective strategies.
  • Targeting upstream signaling mechanisms presents a promising avenue for achieving long-term neuroprotection in ischemic brain injury.

More Related Videos

2-Vessel Occlusion/Hypotension: A Rat Model of Global Brain Ischemia09:29

2-Vessel Occlusion/Hypotension: A Rat Model of Global Brain Ischemia

Published on: June 22, 2013

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.
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...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
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...
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...