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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Induction and Diagnosis of Tumors in Drosophila Imaginal Disc Epithelia
Published on: July 25, 2017
Necrosis-induced apoptosis promotes regeneration in Drosophila wing imaginal discs
Jacob Klemm1, Michael J Stinchfield1, Robin E Harris1
1School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85728, USA.
Abstract:
Regeneration is a complex process that requires a coordinated genetic response to tissue loss. Signals from dying cells are crucial to this process and are best understood in the context of regeneration following programmed cell death, like apoptosis. Conversely, regeneration following unregulated forms of death, such as necrosis, have yet to be fully explored. Here, we have developed a method to investigate regeneration following necrosis using the Drosophila wing imaginal disc. We show that necrosis stimulates regeneration at an equivalent level to that of apoptosis-mediated cell death and activates a similar response at the wound edge involving localized JNK signaling. Unexpectedly, however, necrosis also results in significant apoptosis far from the site of ablation, which we have termed necrosis-induced apoptosis (NiA). This apoptosis occurs independent of changes at the wound edge and importantly does not rely on JNK signaling. Furthermore, we find that blocking NiA limits proliferation and subsequently inhibits regeneration, suggesting that tissues damaged by necrosis can activate programmed cell death at a distance from the injury to promote regeneration.
Insights
Necrosis, or unregulated cell death, surprisingly triggers regeneration similarly to apoptosis. This process involves distant programmed cell death (necrosis-induced apoptosis) crucial for tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Death Research
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Regeneration relies on coordinated genetic responses to tissue damage.
- Cell death signals are key to regeneration, particularly following apoptosis (programmed cell death).
- Regeneration following necrosis (unregulated cell death) remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of regeneration following necrosis.
- To explore the role of cell death in regeneration after necrosis.
- To develop a model for studying necrosis-induced regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Drosophila wing imaginal disc model.
- Induced necrosis and observed regenerative responses.
- Analyzed signaling pathways, including JNK signaling.
- Investigated distant apoptotic events termed necrosis-induced apoptosis (NiA).
Main Results:
- Necrosis stimulates regeneration comparable to apoptosis.
- Localized JNK signaling occurs at the wound edge after necrosis.
- Necrosis induces apoptosis distant from the injury site (NiA), independent of wound-edge signaling or JNK.
- Blocking NiA inhibits proliferation and regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Necrosis can initiate a regenerative program similar to apoptosis.
- Necrosis triggers a novel form of distant programmed cell death (NiA).
- NiA is essential for promoting regeneration after necrotic injury.
