Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

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

Exosomal secretion of death bullets: a new way of apoptotic escape?

Nina Trokovic1, Raimo Pöllänen, Pauliina Porola

  • 1Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) prevents apoptosis in salivary gland cells, while androgen deficiency accelerates it. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment protected cells by converting to DHT, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Cell Biology
  • Salivary Gland Physiology
  • Apoptosis and Cell Death Pathways

Background:

  • Estrogen deficiency (ovariectomy) induces apoptosis in mouse submandibular gland (SMG) serous epithelial cells.
  • This apoptosis is absent in estrogen-deficient males, suggesting a protective role for androgens.
  • Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is hypothesized to protect SMG epithelial cells from apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antiapoptotic effect of DHT on human salivary gland (HSG) cells.
  • To examine the proapoptotic impact of androgen deficiency in mice.
  • To evaluate the protective effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in an androgen-deficient model.

Main Methods:

  • DHT's effect on TNF-α/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis in HSG cells.
  • Studied apoptosis in orchiectomized (ORX) androgen-knockout (ARKO) and wild-type (WT) mice.
  • Assessed cell health via staining (AB-PAS, amylase), TEM, and apoptosis markers (caspase-8/3, TUNEL assay).

Main Results:

  • DHT demonstrated antiapoptotic effects on HSG cells.
  • Androgen deficiency in mice led to caspase activation and secretion in exosome-like particles, impacting cell morphology and secretory function.
  • DHEA treatment normalized cell morphology and function in WT ORX mice, but not ARKO ORX mice, suggesting intracrine conversion to DHT.

Conclusions:

  • DHT protects salivary gland epithelial cells against apoptosis.
  • Androgen deficiency promotes apoptosis and alters salivary gland cell function.
  • DHEA exhibits protective effects, likely through intracrine conversion to DHT, indicating potential therapeutic applications.

More Related Videos

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

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

Published on: December 27, 2016

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis12:55

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

Published on: February 16, 2015

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...
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...
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.
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.
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...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...