Determination of apoptotic and necrotic cell death in vitro and in vivo

Methods. 2013 Jun 1;61(2):117-29. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.02.011. Epub 2013 Mar 7.

Abstract

Cell death research during the last decades has revealed many molecular signaling cascades, often leading to distinct cell death modalities followed by immune responses. For historical reasons, the prototypic and best characterized cell death modes are apoptosis and necrosis (dubbed necroptosis, to indicate that it is regulated). There is mounting evidence for the interplay between cell death modalities and their redundant action when one of them is interfered with. This increase in cell death research points to the need for characterizing cell death pathways by different approaches at the biochemical, cellular and if possible, physiological level. In this review we present a selection of techniques to detect cell death and to distinguish necrosis from apoptosis. The distinction should be based on pharmacologic and transgenic approaches in combination with several biochemical and morphological criteria. A particular problem in defining necrosis is that in the absence of phagocytosis, apoptotic cells become secondary necrotic and develop morphologic and biochemical features of primary necrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Microscopy
  • Necrosis / genetics
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Phagocytosis
  • Time-Lapse Imaging

Substances

  • Caspases