Apoptosis in leukocytes.
All cells of the hematopoietic system have finite life spans, shorter by far than that of the host. They end their lives by committing a form of cellular suicide or programmed cell death. The morphology of this process is considerably different from that of necrosis and is called apoptosis. Apoptotic cells undergo a stereotyped sequence of changes, including shrinkage and nuclear collapse. The cell is quickly recognized and eaten by a phagocyte, without the elicitation of an inflammatory response. Although most cells have specific triggers of apoptosis, the killer T cell seems able to induce apoptosis in any cell it recognizes. The process of apoptosis is regulated by cytokines, and may be modulated both in vitro and in vivo.
Squier
M K
MK
Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Medical School, Denver 80262.
Sehnert
A J
AJ
Cohen
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines