necrosisnecroptosis

Necrosis is a form of cell death that occurs when cells are damaged by external forces, such as injury or toxins. Unlike programmed cell death, or apoptosis, necrosis is an uncontrolled process. It often leads to inflammation as the cell contents leak out and trigger an immune response. This can cause further damage to surrounding tissues.

Necroptosis is a specific type of programmed necrosis. While it shares morphological features with necrosis, such as cell swelling and membrane rupture, it is initiated by specific signaling pathways. This programmed nature allows cells to control their own demise in certain situations, often as a backup mechanism when apoptosis is blocked.

The key players in necroptosis are a complex of proteins called the RIP homotypic interaction motif (RIP) kinases, specifically RIPK1 and RIPK3, and a protein called mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). When activated, this complex triggers events that lead to the formation of pores in the cell membrane, causing cell lysis.

Necroptosis plays a role in various physiological and pathological processes. It can contribute to immune responses, helping to eliminate infected cells. However, dysregulation of necroptosis has been implicated in inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Understanding the mechanisms of necroptosis is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies targeting these conditions.