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Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
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.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is the best understood variant of regulated cell death, which has been considered irreversible for a long time. To date, an increasing amount of data has been accumulating indicating that key events of apoptosis, such as the externalization of phosphatidylserine, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, caspase activation, DNA damage, and cytoplasmic blebbing are not irreversible and can be involved in the normal cell functioning not associated with the induction of apoptosis. Anastasis - cell recovery after induction of apoptosis - can occur following elimination of proapoptotic stimuli. This can facilitate survival of damaged or tumor cells. This review describes key processes of apoptosis, which do not necessarily lead to cell death during normal cell activity as well as anastasis. Understanding mechanisms and consequences of apoptotic processes reversibility, on the one hand, could contribute to the improvement of existing therapeutic approaches for various diseases, including malignant neoplasms, and, on the other hand, could open up new possibilities for protecting cellular elements of tissues and organs from death during treatment of degenerative pathologies.
Insights
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.
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