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Cell cycle and cell death in disease: past, present and future
1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Toxicology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Boris.Zhivotovsky@ki.se
Abstract:
Cell division and cell death are the two predominant physiological processes that regulate tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. The importance of dysregulation of these processes in the pathogenesis of major diseases, such as cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, atherosclerosis, infection, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, is becoming increasingly evident. Hence, attempts to find modulators of the cell cycle and cell death programmes are being made with the hope of creating novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of these diseases. It is clear that improved understanding of how cells balance life-and-death processes is crucial for this development. In view of this, a Nobel Symposium entitled 'The Cell Cycle and Apoptosis in Disease' was organized in conjunction with the celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the Karolinska Institute in 2010. The symposium focused on the importance of dysregulation of cell cycle/cell death programmes in the pathogenesis of human disease. Three comprehensive reviews based on presentations at this symposium are presented in this issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. They include a discussion of autophagy in anticancer therapy, the description of a role for type 2 transglutaminase in Huntington's disease and the proposal that 'redox-sensing' mechanisms might act as an orthogonal control in cell cycle and apoptosis signalling.
Insights
Dysregulation of cell division and cell death processes contributes to major diseases. Understanding how cells balance these life-and-death pathways is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Pathophysiology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Tissue homeostasis relies on the balance between cell division and cell death (apoptosis).
- Dysregulation of these fundamental processes is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infections, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are being explored to modulate cell cycle and apoptosis pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of cell cycle and apoptosis dysregulation in human disease pathogenesis.
- To present key findings from a Nobel Symposium on 'The Cell Cycle and Apoptosis in Disease'.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for diseases linked to cell division and death imbalances.
Main Methods:
- The content is based on comprehensive reviews presented at a Nobel Symposium.
- Discussions include autophagy in anticancer therapy.
- Specific disease mechanisms explored include type 2 transglutaminase in Huntington's disease and redox-sensing in cell signaling.
Main Results:
- The symposium underscored the significant link between cell cycle/apoptosis dysregulation and disease.
- Reviews cover diverse areas such as autophagy's role in cancer treatment.
- Emerging concepts like redox-sensing mechanisms offer new perspectives on cell fate control.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of the balance between cell life and death processes is vital for advancing medical treatments.
- Targeting cell cycle and apoptosis pathways holds promise for novel therapeutic interventions.
- Further research into mechanisms like autophagy and redox signaling could lead to breakthroughs in disease management.
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