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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

Apoptotic cells activate the "phoenix rising" pathway to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration

Fang Li1, Qian Huang, Jiang Chen

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Science Signaling
|February 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Apoptotic cell death, driven by caspases 3 and 7, releases growth signals essential for tissue regeneration and wound healing in mice. This "phoenix rising" pathway highlights a novel role for cell death in promoting tissue repair.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Multicellular organisms possess a remarkable capacity for tissue regeneration.
  • The precise mechanisms by which damaged tissues are repaired and regenerated are not fully understood.
  • Apoptotic cell death, or programmed cell death, is a fundamental biological process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of apoptotic cell death in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration.
  • To identify key molecular players involved in this process.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathway connecting apoptosis to regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse models genetically deficient in caspases 3 and 7.
  • Examined skin wound healing and liver regeneration capabilities in these mice.
  • Analyzed the molecular mechanisms of growth factor release and signaling downstream of caspases.

Main Results:

  • Mice lacking caspases 3 or 7 exhibited impaired skin wound healing and liver regeneration.
  • Apoptotic cells were found to release growth signals that stimulate progenitor/stem cell proliferation.
  • Prostaglandin E(2) was identified as a key mediator acting downstream of caspases.

Conclusions:

  • Executioner caspases (3 and 7) play a critical role in promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
  • Apoptosis actively contributes to healing by releasing regenerative signals.
  • The newly identified
  • phoenix rising
  • pathway offers new therapeutic targets for regenerative medicine.

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