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Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

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 reduction of the tissue.
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

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 20th century...

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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Apoptosis execution is spatially regulated.

Nevena Milivojević Dimitrijević1, Ana Mirić1, Tijana Đukić1

  • 1Department of Science, University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies Kragujevac, Liceja Kneževine Srbije 1A, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia.

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death
|June 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Comparing two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures reveals that spatial context significantly impacts tumor cell response to cytotoxic agents. Molecular markers for apoptosis do not always predict cell death outcomes in 3D models.

Keywords:
2D cell culture3D cell cultureApoptosisCancer cellsMathematical modelingSpatial context

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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

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LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation
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LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical research
  • Cell biology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures offer simplicity but lack intercellular interactions and spatial organization.
  • Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models provide a more physiologically relevant environment for studying cell behavior.
  • Understanding cell response in different culture dimensions is crucial for drug development and disease modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the apoptotic response of tumor cells to cytotoxic chemical complexes in 2D versus 3D culture systems.
  • To investigate the influence of spatial context on cell death pathways and outcomes.
  • To correlate molecular apoptosis markers with phenotypic cell death in different culture dimensions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models of HCT-116 tumor cells.
  • Administered cytotoxic gold(III) complexes to induce apoptosis.
  • Quantified proapoptotic markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 activity) and assessed phenotypic cell death (viable cells, late apoptosis).
  • Employed a mathematical model to analyze and interpret observed differences.

Main Results:

  • Proapoptotic molecular markers were elevated in 2D cultures, yet 3D cultures exhibited a higher frequency of late apoptosis and reduced viable cells.
  • A discrepancy was observed between molecular apoptosis markers and the actual phenotypic outcome of cell death.
  • Mathematical modeling suggested localized hypoxia and metabolic adaptation within the 3D system.

Conclusions:

  • The spatial context of cell culture significantly influences the execution of apoptosis, challenging direct interpretation of molecular markers alone.
  • Two-dimensional and three-dimensional models represent qualitatively distinct responses to cytotoxic agents.
  • Apoptosis execution is demonstrably shaped by the spatial microenvironment, warranting further validation in diverse cell lines and platforms.