Cell survival: differences and differentiation

The regulatory mechanisms of cell survival and apoptosis are very complex in nature, implicating numerous players and signaling pathways not only in the decision-making process of surviving (or dying), but as well as in the execution of apoptosis itself. The same complex nature applies with regards to anoikis, a form of apoptosis that is largely regulated by integrin-mediated, cell-extracellular matrix interactions. However, cell survival, apoptosis and anoikis also happen to implicate further mechanistic distinctions according to the specific tissue and/or cell type concerned. Incidentally, recent studies in a particular tissue, the human intestinal epithelium, have unearthed yet another layer of complexity in the regulation of these three cellular processes, namely the implication of differentiation state-specific mechanisms. Although our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of this new concept of differentiation state-distinct regulation of cell survival, apoptosis and/or anoikis is in its infancy, there is already evidence that such principle applies as well to cell types other than intestinal epithelial cells. Further studies on the differentiation state-specific regulation of these three cellular processes, either under normal or physiopothological situations, should prove crucial in increasing our understanding of pathologies which implicate a dysregulation of apoptosis and/or anoikis-such as cancer.