PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH IS A FUNCTION OF THE CELLULAR BACKGROUND

Recent results, going beyond the mere description and definition of programmed cell death or apoptosis, suggest the existence of a common program of cell death, whatever the death-inducing agent; of multiple pathways leading to this program within the cell; and of a major influence of the state of the cell on the outcome of potential death signalling. The existence of a control compartment is postulated within the cell. This control compartment can be modified, with consequences as to the interpretation of a subsequent death signal, upon differentiation; it can also be modified by alternative signalling to the cell (e.g. through surface CD4 molecules) or by the expression of certain oncogenes.