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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis 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.

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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Metals and apoptosis: recent developments.

Suresh Vir Singh Rana1

  • 1Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, India. sureshvs_rana@yahoo.com

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology : Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)
|November 18, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Toxic metals like cadmium, chromium, and nickel can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis). Understanding metal-induced apoptosis is key to preventing metal-related diseases and developing new molecular strategies.

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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is vital for multicellular organisms.
  • Dysregulation of apoptosis is linked to diseases like cancer, autoimmunity, and neurodegeneration.
  • Various toxins, particularly heavy metals, can induce apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which different metals induce apoptosis.
  • To highlight the role of apoptosis in metal-induced toxicity and disease.
  • To emphasize the potential for developing preventive strategies based on understanding metal-induced apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on metal-induced apoptosis.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways involved in metal-induced cell death.
  • Compilation of data on specific metals (cadmium, chromium, nickel, arsenic, lead, mercury, copper, beryllium, selenium) and their apoptotic effects.

Main Results:

  • Carcinogenic metals (cadmium, chromium, nickel) induce apoptosis via DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Arsenic, lead, mercury, copper, beryllium, and selenium also trigger apoptosis through distinct molecular pathways involving ROS, caspases, p53, and metallothioneins.
  • Metal-induced apoptosis contributes to hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, neurotoxicity, autoimmunity, and carcinogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Metals induce apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, often involving ROS and specific signaling pathways.
  • Disruptions in apoptosis are central to many debilitating metal-induced health conditions.
  • Further understanding of metal-induced apoptosis can guide the development of preventive molecular interventions.