Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
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
Apoptosis - an Ubiquitous T cell Immunomodulator
Anuradha K Murali1, Shikhar Mehrotra
1Departments of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425.
Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology
|March 19, 2013
Summary
Apoptosis, a regulated cell death process, is crucial for immune function. Dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancer, highlighting its importance in health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process for eliminating unnecessary cells.
- It plays a critical role in immune system regulation, including T cell selection and cytotoxic responses.
- Impaired apoptosis is linked to various diseases such as autoimmune disorders, infections, and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of T cell activation and apoptosis in autoimmune reactions.
- To examine the involvement of apoptosis in tumor progression.
- To discuss the impact of apoptosis in bacterial and viral infections.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research.
- It focuses on the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis.
- It analyzes the interplay between T cell activation and apoptotic pathways.
Main Results:
- The review highlights the critical balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors.
- It details how disruptions in apoptotic pathways lead to disease pathogenesis.
- It emphasizes the significance of apoptosis in immune surveillance and homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Modulating apoptotic pathways is a key therapeutic strategy for immune-related diseases.
- Understanding T cell apoptosis is vital for developing treatments for cancer and infections.
- Maintaining proper apoptotic regulation is essential for overall health.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
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.
01:17The 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...
01:17Phagocytosis 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.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:22Cellular 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...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:31The 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...