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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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Live-cell Imaging of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization During Necroptosis
Published on: November 14, 2025
Apoptosis and necrosis: a review for surgeons
Patrick McHugh1, Matthias Turina
1Department of Surgery, the Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
Surgical Infections
|March 3, 2006
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a key role in various diseases. Understanding apoptosis and necrosis is crucial for clinicians to manage surgical conditions and patient outcomes effectively.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
- Surgical Science
Background:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) has distinct morphology compared to necrosis (accidental cell death).
- The growing body of literature on apoptosis makes it challenging for surgeons to remain updated on its mechanisms and significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of apoptosis and necrosis in surgical contexts.
- To highlight the clinical relevance of programmed cell death in various disease states.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed was performed.
- Manual cross-referencing was used to identify relevant English-language articles.
- The search covered publications from 1972 to 2004.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is implicated in numerous disease states, impacting surgical outcomes.
- The balance of apoptosis and necrosis significantly affects clinical outcomes in ischemia-reperfusion injury and acute pancreatitis.
- Apoptosis in immune cells is critical for determining patient outcomes in sepsis.
Conclusions:
- Further research aims to identify therapeutic interventions for apoptosis-related conditions.
- Clinicians must be familiar with apoptosis and necrosis in both normal and pathological states.
- Understanding these cell death mechanisms is vital for advancing patient care in surgery.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
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.
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
01:30Overview 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...
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...
01:17Phagocytosis 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.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
01:22Cellular 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...