Apoptosis: A mechanism for regulation of the cell complement of inflamed glomeruli

Abstract

“Apoptosis” or “programmed cell death” is a regulated mechanism for deletion of “unwanted” cells. Recent research indicates a crucial role for apoptosis in a number of fields of biological science, including immunological tolerance, embryology and neoplasia. This article emphasizes the potential importance of this process in determining the glomerular response to inflammation. Thus, there is evidence that apoptosis in infiltrating leucocytes is a mechanism for clearance of such cells which is likely to promote resolution rather than persistence of glomerulonephritis. Furthermore, programmed death of intrinsic cells which have undergone unwanted proliferation may enable a pathologically hyper..