Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Sweet clearance: involvement of cell surface glycans in the recognition of apoptotic cells
Kerstin Sarter1, Claudia Mierke, Alexandra Beer
1Department of Internal Medicine III, Institute of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Abstract:
Glycans cover the surfaces of all mammalian cells. Their structural variety provides enormous potential for information storage and transfer. According to the concept of the sugar code, they act as biochemical signals decoded by a large number of lectins which are defined as sugar binding proteins. The importance of glycan-lectin interaction in diverse immune system functions becomes increasingly apparent. Here, we review apoptotic cell clearance and especially focus on modifications of glycans on apoptotic cells.
Related Concept Videos
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Apoptosis
Overview of Cell Death
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...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...

