I think that some of latest research is suggesting that the difference between oncosis/necrosis and apoptosis is much less than previously believed. Using biochemical analysis of cell death pathways (looking for cysteine protease (caspase family) activation and cleavage of substrates (responsible for morphology changes)), both processes share common features. Also, by inhibiting caspase activation in classical apoptosis systems, the cells die, although delayed, by necrosis. This is also true for classical necrosis models, where cysteine protease inhibition or bcl-2/bcl-xl overexpression delays cell death. The biochemical differences between apoptosis, and necrosis/oncosis will definitely be an active area of debate in the future. Chris Carthy Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Cardiovascular Research Laboratory McDonald Research Wing St. Paul's Hospital - University of British Columbia Phone (604)631-5659 or 5275 Fax (604)631-5351 or 5208
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