Necrosis

Structural changes of cells undergoing necrosis and apoptosis

Necrosis (from Ancient Greek νέκρωσις (nékrōsis) 'death') is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue by autolysis.[1] The term "necrosis" came about in the mid-19th century and is commonly attributed to German pathologist Rudolf Virchow, who is often regarded as one of the founders of modern pathology.[2] Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, or trauma which result in the unregulated digestion of cell components. In contrast, apoptosis is a naturally occurring programmed and targeted cause of cellular death. While apoptosis often provides beneficial effects to the organism, necrosis is almost always detrimental and can be fatal.[3]

Cellular death due to necrosis does not follow the apoptotic signal transduction pathway, but rather various receptors are activated and result in the loss of cell membrane integrity[4] and an uncontrolled release of products of cell death into the extracellular space.[1] This initiates an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissue, which attracts leukocytes and nearby phagocytes which eliminate the dead cells by phagocytosis. However, microbial damaging substances released by leukocytes would create collateral damage to surrounding tissues.[5] This excess collateral damage inhibits the healing process. Thus, untreated necrosis results in a build-up of decomposing dead tissue and cell debris at or near the site of the cell death. A classic example is gangrene. For this reason, it is often necessary to remove necrotic tissue surgically, a procedure known as debridement.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b Proskuryakov SY, Konoplyannikov AG, Gabai VL (February 2003). "Necrosis: a specific form of programmed cell death?". Experimental Cell Research. 283 (1): 1–16. doi:10.1016/S0014-4827(02)00027-7. PMID 12565815.
  2. ^ Gerschenson, L.E.; Geske, F. Jon (April 2001). "Virchow and Apoptosis". The American Journal of Pathology. 158 (4): 1543. doi:10.1016/S0002-9440(10)64105-3. PMC 1891904. PMID 11290572.
  3. ^ Kasper DL, Zaleznik DF (2001). "Gas gangrene, antibiotic associated colitis, and other Clostridial infections". In Stone RM (ed.). Harrison's principles of internal medicine self-assessment and board review (15th ed.). McGraw-Hill. pp. 922–7. ISBN 978-0-07-138678-4.
  4. ^ Nirmala JG, Lopus M (April 2020). "Cell death mechanisms in eukaryotes". Cell Biology and Toxicology. 36 (2): 145–164. doi:10.1007/s10565-019-09496-2. PMID 31820165. S2CID 208869679.
  5. ^ Rock KL, Kono H (2008). "The inflammatory response to cell death". Annual Review of Pathology. 3: 99–126. doi:10.1146/annurev.pathmechdis.3.121806.151456. PMC 3094097. PMID 18039143.