Beyond the veil of cell death

Studies of regulated cell death have largely focused on the underlying mechanisms and modalities resulting in cell demise, as well as the biological and pathological consequences of cell death. More recently, at least some attention has turned to other questions: how do cells that engage a regulated cell death pathway sometimes survive? And do such "near-death experiences" alter the biology of the surviving cell? Like Alice passing through the looking glass, this 180° change in perspective may represent a paradigm shift in the field. Here, we discuss the concepts, mechanisms, and potential consequences of cell survival despite engaging a regulated cell death pathway.