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Related Concept Videos

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.
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.
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...
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...
Activation of Integrins01:15

Activation of Integrins

Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages
06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

Apoptosis: conserved roles for integrins in clearance.

Veera D'mello1, Raymond B Birge

  • 1UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|April 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Integrins are crucial for clearing dead cells in C. elegans development. This study reveals conserved roles for integrins in efferocytosis across animals.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Apoptotic cell clearance, or efferocytosis, is vital for multicellular organism development.
  • Integrins are cell surface receptors involved in cell adhesion and signaling.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of efferocytosis is crucial for developmental processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Caenorhabditis elegans integrin alpha subunits in efferocytosis.
  • To determine if integrins have conserved functions in apoptotic cell clearance in metazoans.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized genetic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans.
  • Investigated the function of integrin alpha homologs during nematode development.
  • Observed the process of apoptotic cell clearance.

More Related Videos

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

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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages
06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

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

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

Main Results:

  • One of the two C. elegans integrin alpha homologs is essential for efferocytosis.
  • This integrin plays a critical role during nematode development.
  • The findings highlight a conserved function of integrins in efferocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • Integrins play an essential role in the clearance of apoptotic cells in C. elegans.
  • Integrins have evolutionarily conserved functions in efferocytosis across metazoans.
  • This research deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental efferocytosis.