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Programmed cell death is a set of pathways that multicellular organisms use to self-destruct their cells.1 This process is crucial during embryonic and post-embryonic development and for tissue maintenance. For example, during embryonic development programmed cell death sculpts fingers and toes by removing the interdigital webs.2 Programmed cell death also occurs during stringent selection of B and T lymphocytes. This removes immune cells that target other cells in the body, preventing autoimmunity.3
Over the years, researchers have described many forms of programmed cell death.4 Three main types are apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.1
Programmed cell death pathways can be either lytic or non-lytic. During lytic cell death, the contents of a dying cell are released into the surrounding space as the cell’s membrane becomes damaged.4 In contrast, non-lytic cell death secludes the ...
