Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Focus Formation: A Cell-based Assay to Determine the Oncogenic Potential of a Gene
08:18

Focus Formation: A Cell-based Assay to Determine the Oncogenic Potential of a Gene

Published on: December 31, 2014

Sensitivity of transformed fibroblasts for intercellular induction of apoptosis is determined by their transformed

E Beck1, R Schäfer, G Bauer

  • 1Abteilung Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene Universität Freiburg, Germany.

Experimental Cell Research
|July 10, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Nontransformed cells induce apoptosis in cancer cells, a process regulated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). This sensitivity to apoptosis induction is linked to the transformed cell phenotype, with normal cells initiating this process.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Cancer research
  • Molecular oncology

Background:

  • Intercellular apoptosis induction is a potential mechanism for controlling oncogenesis.
  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) initiates apoptosis induction in neighboring cells.
  • The relationship between the transformed phenotype and apoptosis sensitivity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if sensitivity to intercellular apoptosis induction is dependent on the transformed cell phenotype.
  • To investigate the role of v-src-transformed rat fibroblasts and their revertants in this process.
  • To clarify the distinct roles of transformed and non-transformed cells in apoptosis signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing v-src-transformed rat fibroblasts and their revertant clones.
  • Assessing the sensitivity of these cell lines to intercellular apoptosis induction.
  • Evaluating the capacity of revertant cells to induce apoptosis in transformed cells.

Main Results:

  • All transformed fibroblast clones exhibited sensitivity to intercellular apoptosis induction.
  • Revertant clones, having lost the transformed phenotype, lost sensitivity to apoptosis induction.
  • Revertant cells regained the ability to induce apoptosis in transformed cells.
  • Sensitivity to apoptosis induction correlates directly with the transformed phenotype.

Conclusions:

  • Sensitivity to intercellular apoptosis induction is directly dependent on the transformed cell phenotype.
  • The ability to induce apoptosis is a characteristic feature of non-transformed fibroblasts.
  • This study elucidates a novel cell-cell communication pathway in cancer regulation.

More Related Videos

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis12:55

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

Published on: February 16, 2015

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
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 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...
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...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis 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.
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...