Volume 13, Number 2—February 2007
Synopsis
Immune Cell Apoptosis Prevention as Potential Therapy for Severe Infections
Janie Parrino*, Richard S. Hotchkiss†, and Mike Bray*
Table 1
Distinguishing features of apoptosis and necrosis
| Feature | Apoptosis | Necrosis |
|---|---|---|
| General description | Genetically programmed, orderly process of cell death | Accidental cell death caused by acute injury or other exogenous effect |
| Membrane integrity | Preserved until late in cell breakdown process | Early loss results in cell and organelle swelling and rupture |
| Chromosomal DNA | Cleavage at nucleosomes produces ladder pattern on an agarose gel | Random fragmentation produces smear pattern |
| Inflammatory response | None; products have antiinflammatory effect | Release of intracellular contents causes acute inflammatory response |
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