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Updated: May 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Cytokine-Induced Cell Death in Intestinal Epithelial Cells Using Human Organoids
Published on: August 2, 2024
Bibliometric and visualized analysis on global trends and hotspots of TAK1 in regulated cell death: 1999 to 2024
Kun Huang1,2, Ye He1,3, Hao Wan1
1Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Background:
Regulated cell death (RCD) is a genetically controlled form of cell death that plays an important role in organogenesis, tissue remodeling, and pathogenesis of cancers. Transforming growth factor-beta-activation kinase 1 (TAK1) is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family, which can respond to internal and external stimuli and participate in inflammatory responses through multiple signaling pathways and cellular processes. In the last two decades, the regulatory roles of TAK1 at the crossroads of multiple RCD pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis were revealed by 801 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. To analyze global research trends and hotspots concerning the role of TAK1 in RCD, the bibliometric and visualized analysis were applied in the current study.
Methods:
The data for this bibliometrics study were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The search formula was (TS=(Apoptosis) OR TS=(pyroptosis) OR TS=(Necroptosis) OR TS=(PANoptosis) OR TS=(Autophagy) OR TS=(Ferroptosis) OR TS=(cuproptosis)) AND ((TS=(TAK1)) OR TS=(MAP3K7)). The co-occurrence and co-cited analysis on basic bibliometric parameters were conducted by VOSviewer. The dual-map overlay of journals, citation bursts, keyword timelines, and keyword bursts were analyzed by CiteSpace.
Results:
A total of 801 articles from 46 countries have been included in the analysis. The number of publications demonstrates a consistent increase from 1999 to 2024. The primary research institutions driving this field are Osaka University Notably, the Journal of Biological Chemistry stands out as the most popular journal in this domain. These publications collectively involve contributions from 4663 authors, with Jun Tsuji emerging as a prolific author. Jun Tsuji also gains the highest co-citation frequency. Emerging research hotspots are encapsulated by keywords, including apoptosis, NF-κB, inflammation, autophagy, and TNFα.
Conclusion:
This is the first bibliometric and visualized study to analyze the global trends and hotspots of TAK1 in RCD. Based on the analysis of 801 articles, the results provide a retrospective and comprehensive visualized view of the research hotspots and frontiers of TAK1 at the crossroads of multiple RCD signaling pathways and propose ideas for guiding their future investigations in molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies in this field.
Insights
This study analyzes global research trends on Transforming growth factor-beta-activation kinase 1 (TAK1) in regulated cell death (RCD). Emerging hotspots include apoptosis, NF-κB, inflammation, autophagy, and TNFα, guiding future investigations.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Regulated cell death (RCD) is crucial for development, tissue repair, and cancer.
- Transforming growth factor-beta-activation kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key kinase involved in inflammatory responses and multiple cell death pathways.
- TAK1's role at the intersection of apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis has been a focus of recent research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a bibliometric and visualized analysis of global research trends and hotspots concerning TAK1's role in RCD.
- To identify key research institutions, prolific authors, and influential journals in the field.
- To map the evolution of research topics and identify emerging frontiers in TAK1-mediated RCD.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of 801 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection.
- Utilized VOSviewer for co-occurrence and co-cited analysis.
- Employed CiteSpace for dual-map overlays, citation bursts, and keyword timeline analysis.
Main Results:
- Consistent publication growth observed from 1999 to 2024, with 801 articles from 46 countries.
- Osaka University identified as a leading institution, with Jun Tsuji as a highly cited author.
- Key research hotspots include apoptosis, NF-κB, inflammation, autophagy, and TNFα.
Conclusions:
- This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively map global research on TAK1 in RCD.
- The findings provide a visualized overview of research frontiers and guide future investigations into molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
- Highlights the dynamic and expanding research landscape of TAK1 in diverse RCD pathways.

