2- Cell Death Apoptosis Necrosis
Apoptosis Programmed cell death: plays an important role in many physiological and diseased conditions. Death of aged cells. Embryonic remodeling.
Human neutrophils are constantly produced in the bone marrow and released into the blood to search for invading pathogens. After only one day, they "commit suicide" and are replaced by younger cells.
The apoptotic neutrophil undergoes a series of changes including violent membrane blebbing, and fragmentation of DNA creating a vacuolar nucleus. Apoptotic cells shrink in size, break into smaller pieces called apoptotic bodies that are recognized by phagocytes.
Membrane blebbing Cell shrink Cell fragmentation
Morphological changes with apoptosis shrik Morphological changes with apoptosis Membrane blebbing Cell shrinking. Cell fragmentation (apoptotic bodies). Phagocytosis
MORPHOLOGY OF NECROSIS
Pyknosis Shrunken nucleus with dark staining Seen in a necrotic (dead) cell
Karyorrhexis Fragmentation of pyknotic nucleus
Karyolysis Extensive hydrolysis of pyknotic nucleus with loss of staining Represents breakdown of the denatured chromatin
Karyolysis
Types of Necrosis Coagulative Necrosis Liquefactive Necrosis Caseous Necrosis Fat Necrosis Fibrinoid necrosis Haemorrhagic Necrosis Gangrenous Necrosis: Dry Gangrene: Drying of dead tissue associated with peripheral vascular diseases. Necrosis is separated from viable tissue by line of demarcation. Wet Gangrene: Coagulative necrosis by ischemia + liquifactive necrosis by superimposed infection. Gas Gangrene: Gas is produced in necrotic tissue by anaerobic bacteria.
1- Coagulative Necrosis Dead cells remain as ghost-like remnants of their former self Classically seen in an Myocardial Infarction Cardiac muscle fibers Kidney (necrotic renal tubules)
2- Liquefactive Necrosis The dead cells undergo extensive autolysis, caused by the release of lysosomal hydrolases (proteinases, DNases, RNases, lipases, etc.) Seen classically in the spleen and brain following infarction.
Liquefactive Necrosis
(A) Coagulative vs. (B) Liquefactive Necrosis
3- Caseous Necrosis (Casein - Cheesy) Resembles cottage cheese Soft, friable, whitish-grey Present within infected tissues Seen in Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
4- Fat Necrosis Leakage of lipases from dead cells attack triglycerides in surrounding fat tissue and generate free fatty acids and calcium soaps These soaps have a chalky-white appearance Seen in the pancreas following acute inflammation
Causes of cell and tissue necrosis - Physical agents - Chemicals and drugs - Infectious pathogens - Immunologic reactions - Genetic mutations - Nutritional imbalances