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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

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

Published on: December 27, 2016

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Apoptotic cell death in disease-Current understanding of the NCCD 2023

Ilio Vitale1,2, Federico Pietrocola3, Emma Guilbaud4

  • 1IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo, Torino, Italy. iliovit@gmail.com.

Cell Death and Differentiation
|April 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, a regulated cell death process involving caspases, is crucial for development and tissue balance. Dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to diseases ranging from cancer to neurological disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a fundamental biological process mediated by caspase proteases.
  • This process is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and eliminating damaged cells.
  • Aberrations in apoptosis are implicated in numerous human diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review preclinical literature on the role of apoptosis in disease.
  • To summarize the mechanistic links between the apoptotic machinery and organismal homeostasis.
  • To provide a consensus on the involvement of apoptosis in various pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of abundant preclinical research.
  • Critical analysis of studies investigating apoptosis inhibition and activation.
  • Synthesis of mechanistic data linking apoptotic pathways to disease etiology.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis plays a dual role: its defects impair development and promote cancer, while its excessive activation causes tissue damage in various diseases.
  • The core apoptotic apparatus is mechanistically linked to maintaining organismal homeostasis.
  • Evidence supports the involvement of apoptosis in neurological, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, infectious, neoplastic, and inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptosis is a critical regulator of health and disease, with its dysregulation contributing to a wide spectrum of human disorders.
  • Understanding the intricate role of apoptosis is vital for developing therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways.
  • The Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) emphasizes the central role of apoptosis in disease pathogenesis.

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