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Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

12.0K
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...
12.0K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

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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...
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Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

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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...
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The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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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...
6.2K
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

7.7K
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...
7.7K
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

3.3K
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages
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Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

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Apoptotic cell clearance: basic biology and therapeutic potential.

Ivan K H Poon1, Christopher D Lucas2, Adriano G Rossi3

  • 11] Center for Cell Clearance and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. [2] Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia. [3].

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|February 1, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Prompt removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes maintains tissue homeostasis and promotes tolerance. Defects in this process are linked to inflammatory diseases, but can also induce anti-tumor immunity.

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

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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages
06:47

Experimental Analysis of Apoptotic Thymocyte Engulfment by Macrophages

Published on: May 24, 2019

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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

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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Efficient removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes is crucial for tissue homeostasis and preventing inflammation.
  • Defects in apoptotic cell clearance are associated with inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity.
  • Apoptotic cell recognition can also trigger immune responses, particularly in anti-tumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of apoptotic cell clearance in physiological and pathological contexts.
  • To discuss the potential therapeutic applications of manipulating apoptotic cell clearance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular and cellular mechanisms of apoptotic cell recognition and uptake.
  • Analysis of the biological responses following apoptotic cell clearance.
  • Examination of the link between defective clearance and disease states.

Main Results:

  • The process of apoptotic cell clearance generally promotes anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic responses.
  • Dysfunctional clearance contributes to inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders.
  • Under specific conditions, apoptotic tumor cell recognition can elicit immunogenic and anti-tumor responses.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptotic cell clearance is a complex process with dual roles in inflammation and immunity.
  • Understanding these mechanisms offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory diseases and cancer immunotherapy.