Researchers found that TRAIL causes catastrophic damage to human liver cells, but not to liver cells from mice and nonhuman primates. The study's findings indicate that results of standard preclinical tests may mislead investigators about an agent's safety for use in humans.
A signaling protein acts as a 'messenger of death' to execute apoptosis, a process regulating cell numbers and connections. The discovery could offer targets for drugs preventing cell death related to heart attacks, strokes, or Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that protein gelsolin plays a crucial role in disassembling the inner skeleton of cells, which can lead to cancer development. By understanding how gelsolin works, scientists hope to develop new cancer-fighting drugs by stimulating or blocking its activation.
Researchers have deciphered part of the cellular events underlying apoptosis, providing insights into cancer pathologies and potential cures. The cooperation between c-Abl and p73 leads to cell death, highlighting their roles in safeguarding the cell against DNA damage.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have uncovered a potential switch that helps control the manufacture of red blood cells and blood-clotting platelets. Activating 'death receptors' on immature red blood cells triggers caspases, which can halt excessive production by blocking cell growth and differentiation.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University describe the workings of an enzyme caspase-9 crucial for understanding apoptosis. They hope to develop drugs that inhibit this enzyme to fight neurodegenerative diseases.
A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that high glucose levels during pregnancy can lead to embryonic cell death, resulting in higher rates of miscarriage and birth defects among diabetic women. The researchers found that controlling blood sugar levels is crucial for pregnant women with diabetes.
Researchers found that liver ischemia/reperfusion injury induces a caspase-dependent apoptosis in endothelial cells. The study identified the type of affected cell and the molecular pathway responsible for the damage, opening doors to develop therapies to prevent or reduce liver preservation injury.
Scientists found that apoptosis induces the processing of EMAP II precursor protein, releasing a biologically active form that recruits macrophages. This process is crucial for tissue remodelling and coordinating cell death during embryonic development.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill reduce arthritis severity in laboratory rats by turning off the molecular switch NF-kappa B, which controls inflammatory genes. The study demonstrates feasibility of new treatments, including gene therapy, and suggests potential systemic therapeutic effects.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have identified Apaf1 as a key component of apoptosis, a process crucial for embryonal development and preventing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. The study sheds light on the gene's role in programmed cell death, with potential applications for medical research and treatment.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has discovered that programmed cell death in the brain continues for weeks after initial trauma. This finding could lead to better treatments for brain injuries and related conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a green tea compound, can induce programmed cell death in cancer cells without harming healthy cells. This finding offers new hope for cancer prevention and treatment, and may lead to the development of purified polyphenolic derivatives.
Researchers discovered a protein, Apaf-3, that signals apoptosis and is essential for life. The study's findings may lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments by activating the cell death pathway.
Researchers found that potassium ions play a critical role in triggering programmed cell death or apoptosis in nerve cells. By blocking potassium channels, they may be able to prevent nerve cell death and reduce brain damage in patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries, or neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found that HIV gene vpr blocks cytokine production in infected cells, preventing immune activation. Vpr also prevents apoptosis in infected cells but induces apoptosis in neighboring immune cells, making it harder for the body to defend against the infection. The antisteroid compound RU-486 reversed many of these effects.
Scientists have found that dysregulation of programmed cell death may underlie the earlier onset and rapid downhill course of inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that a specific gene, PS2, plays a crucial role in apoptosis and may contribute to neurodegeneration by triggering a stress response.
Researchers at UT-Houston Institute of Molecular Medicine have discovered sentrin, a protein that protects cells from apoptosis by blocking Fas/APO-1 and TNFR receptors. This finding has significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and degenerative diseases such as arthritis and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that a drug called MK-801 can reduce brain cell death during cardiac surgery by blocking glutamate receptors. The study used dogs and showed promising results, suggesting a potential new approach to preventing brain damage during heart surgery.