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Xenobiotic-induced apoptosis: significance and potential application as a general biomarker of response

Biomarkers
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1080/135475099230778

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Abstract

The process of apoptosis, often coined programmed cell death, involves cell injury induced by a variety of stimuli including xenobiotics and is morphologically, biochemically, and physiologically distinct from necrosis. Apoptotic death is characterized by cellular changes such as cytoplasm shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and plasma membrane asymmetry. This form of cell suicide is appealing as a general biomarker of response in that it is expressed in multiple cell systems (e.g. immune, neuronal, hepatal, intestinal, dermal, reproductive), is conserved phylogenetically (e.g. fish, rodents, birds, sheep, amphibians, roundworms, plants, humans), is modulated by environmentally relevant levels of chemical contaminants, and indicates a state of stress of the organism. Further, apoptosis is useful as a biomarker as it serves as a molecular control point and hence may provide mechanistic information on xenobiotic stress. Studies reviewed here suggest that apoptosis is a sensitive and early indicator of acute and chronic chemical stress, loss of cellular function and structure, and organismal health. Examples are provided of the application of this methodology in studies of health of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Xenobiotic-induced apoptosis: significance and potential application as a general biomarker of response
Series title Biomarkers
DOI 10.1080/135475099230778
Volume 4
Issue 4
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 17 p.
First page 237
Last page 253
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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