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Caspase-independent cell death in T lymphocytes

Nature Immunology volume 4, pages 416–423 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

T lymphocyte death is essential for proper function of the immune system. During the decline of an immune response, most of the activated T cells die. Cell death is also responsible for eliminating autoreactive lymphocytes. Although recent studies have focused on caspase-dependent apoptotic signals, much evidence now shows that caspase- independent, necrotic cell death pathways are as important. An understanding of the molecular control of these alternative pathways is beginning to emerge. Damage of organelles including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum or lysozymes, leading to an increase in calcium and reactive oxygen species and the release of effector proteins, is frequently involved in caspase-independent cell death.

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Figure 1: Chromatin condensation as a criterion to distinguish apoptosis from apoptosis-like and necrosis-like PCD.

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Figure 2: Caspase-independent signaling pathways leading to MOMP.

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Figure 3: MOMP can trigger caspase-dependent and caspase-independent PCD.

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Figure 4: Death receptor–triggered caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways in T cells.

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Acknowledgements

We thank our colleagues for discussions, M. Leist and H. Everett for help with the text and figures, and the Danish Cancer Society and the Swiss National Science Foundation for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Apoptosis Laboratory, Institute of Cancer Biology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, Copenhagen, DK-2100, Denmark

    Marja Jäättelä

  2. Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Ch. des Boveresses 155, Epalinges, CH-1066, Switzerland

    Jürg Tschopp

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  1. Marja Jäättelä
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Jäättelä, M., Tschopp, J. Caspase-independent cell death in T lymphocytes. Nat Immunol 4, 416–423 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni0503-416

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