Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
05:14
Examination of Pyroptosis by Flow Cytometry
Published on: May 31, 2024
How to recognize if a cell dies from pyroptosis?
Michał Gebuza1, Weronika Bihl2, Kinga Brawańska-Maśluch3
1Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Medical University Hospital, Borowska 213, Wrocław, 50-556, Poland.
Molecular Biology Reports
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Pyroptosis, a programmed cell death, is vital for immunity and has a dual role in cancer. Understanding pyroptosis mechanisms offers insights into disease and potential therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pyroptosis is a distinct programmed cell death pathway.
- It is inflammasome-mediated, releasing proinflammatory cytokines.
- Crucial for pathogen elimination and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for detecting pyroptosis.
- To elucidate the role of pyroptosis in biological processes.
- To highlight pyroptosis's clinical relevance in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on pyroptosis.
- Analysis of inflammasome pathway mechanisms.
- Examination of pyroptosis detection techniques.
Main Results:
- Pyroptosis has a dual role in cancer: promoting or suppressing tumor growth.
- Pyroptosis-related molecules show potential as prognostic indicators.
- Understanding pyroptosis is key for therapeutic target identification.
Conclusions:
- Pyroptosis is essential for immune function and has complex roles in cancer.
- Methods for detecting pyroptosis are crucial for research and clinical applications.
- Targeting pyroptosis pathways may offer novel cancer treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview 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...
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...
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
01:11Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...
01:30Apoptosis
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.