Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025

12:55
Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
18.4K
The Problem of Apoptotic Processes Reversibility
I I Zakharov1, M A Savitskaya1, G E Onishchenko2
1Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Apoptosis, a form of cell death, is reversible. Key apoptotic events can occur without cell death, and cells can recover through anastasis, impacting disease and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, was long considered an irreversible process.
- Recent findings challenge this notion, suggesting key apoptotic events are reversible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the reversibility of apoptosis and the phenomenon of anastasis (cell recovery after apoptosis).
- To explore the implications of apoptotic reversibility for normal cell function, disease, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on apoptosis and cell recovery.
- Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying apoptotic reversibility.
Main Results:
- Key apoptotic events like phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase activation are not always terminal.
- Cells can undergo anastasis, recovering from apoptotic stimuli upon their removal.
- This reversibility can promote the survival of damaged or cancerous cells.
Conclusions:
- Understanding apoptotic reversibility and anastasis is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
- This knowledge can improve treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by modulating cell survival and death pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Apoptosis
13.1K
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...
13.1K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
7.4K
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...
7.4K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
7.6K
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...
7.6K
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
4.4K
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...
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
4.4K
Overview of Cell Death
8.6K
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...
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...
8.6K
Caspases
13.2K
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside...
13.2K

