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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
10:23
Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
Published on: January 20, 2023
Non-apoptotic functions of caspase-8
Jonathan Maelfait1, Rudi Beyaert
1Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
Biochemical Pharmacology
|September 2, 2008
Summary
Caspase-8, a protein involved in cell death, also plays crucial roles in embryonic development, immune cell proliferation, and inflammation. This review highlights its diverse non-apoptotic functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Caspases are cysteine proteases critical for apoptosis.
- Caspase-8 is an initiator caspase in death receptor signaling, particularly CD95-induced apoptosis.
- Its role in cell death pathways is well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse non-apoptotic functions of caspase-8.
- To highlight the expanding understanding of caspase-8's biological roles beyond apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on caspase-8.
- Analysis of research on caspase-8 in various biological processes.
Main Results:
- Caspase-8 is involved in embryonic development.
- Caspase-8 influences monocyte differentiation.
- Caspase-8 plays a role in T and B cell proliferation.
- Caspase-8 is implicated in NF-kappaB activation.
Conclusions:
- Caspase-8 possesses significant non-apoptotic functions.
- These functions include roles in development, immunity, and inflammation.
- Caspase-8 is a versatile protease with broader biological significance than previously recognized.
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