title: Apoptosis of leukocytes: basic concepts and implications in uremia.
abstract: Circulating blood leukocytes have short life expectancies and end their lives by committing programmed cell death or apoptosis. Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is initiated by a number of stimuli and is intricately regulated. Apoptosis in both excessive and reduced amounts has pathological implications. Evidence suggests that apoptosis may play a role in the pathophysiology of immune dysfunction in uremia. Indeed, accelerated programmed cell death has been observed in lymphocytes, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes among patients with chronic renal failure. This may be due in part to the retention of uremic toxins. The aim of this article is to review the evidence for accelerated leukocyte apoptosis, key regulatory apoptotic pathways, and the possible role of this highly organized process in the pathogenesis of immune dysfunction in uremia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tupper Research Institute, New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. bjaber@lifespan.org
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Jaber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cendoroglo
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Perianayagam
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007688:Kidneys, Artificial; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000378:metabolism; D014511:Uremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D019014:fas Receptor; D020169:Caspases