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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
Apoptosis: the skin from a new perspective.
1Department of Dermatology, Box 697, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Cell Death and Differentiation
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for skin development and health. This process eliminates excess or abnormal cells, maintaining epidermal homeostasis and architecture.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is vital for homeostasis and defense in the epidermis.
- It shapes skin architecture during development and removes aberrant cells in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review skin biology through the lens of apoptosis.
- To explore the role of keratinocyte growth regulators as survival factors.
- To present a model integrating apoptosis, growth, and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on apoptosis and skin biology.
- Analysis of regulatory mechanisms in keratinocyte growth and differentiation.
- Hypothesis formulation regarding survival factors and cell death pathways.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is essential for epidermal development and adult skin maintenance.
- Keratinocyte growth regulators may function as survival factors, suppressing apoptosis.
- Terminal differentiation and apoptosis share common pathways, with differentiation involving more elaborate gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis is a fundamental process in skin biology, essential for homeostasis and development.
- A model is proposed linking keratinocyte growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- Understanding these pathways offers insights into skin health and disease.
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.
01:22Cellular 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...
01:24Cells of the Epidermis
The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
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.
01:30Overview 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...
01:31The 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...