Apoptotiska

Apoptotiska is a term used in Swedish to describe phenomena related to apoptosis, the regulated, programmed form of cell death. As an adjective, it is applied to features of cells or tissues that arise from or resemble apoptotic processes. Apoptotiska descriptions are common in histology and pathology when characterizing cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, membrane blebbing, and formation of apoptotic bodies that are typically cleared by phagocytes with little inflammatory response.

Biological basis: Apoptosis can be triggered via intrinsic or extrinsic pathways, both converging on caspases, a family of proteases that dismantle the cell. The intrinsic pathway is regulated by mitochondria and BCL-2 family proteins, with cytochrome c release and formation of the apoptosome leading to caspase-9 activation. The extrinsic pathway is initiated by death receptors such as Fas or TRAIL receptors, activating caspase-8. Executioner caspases (3, 6, 7) then carry out demolition. Regulation involves p53, IAPs, and a balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors.

Significance: Apoptotiska processes are essential for development, immune system maturation, and tissue homeostasis; they remove damaged or unnecessary cells. Dysregulation contributes to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune conditions. Therapeutic strategies seek to modulate apoptosis, for example using BH3 mimetics to promote cancer cell death or inhibitors to protect neurons in neurodegeneration. Detection methods include Annexin V binding assays, TUNEL assay, and caspase activity measurements.