Apoptosis: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Tissue homeostasis is efficiently maintained by the fine balance between cell death and cell survival. The major players in this complex molecular process are caspases, which depend on aspartate-directed proteases. These molecular players control the whole apoptosis for programmed cell death. Initiator caspases are functionalized through ligand–receptor interaction or mitochondrial signaling. The activated initiator caspases start a downstream cascade to activate effector caspases. The interplay between cellular survival and death plays a crucial role in embryonic tissue development, regulation of immune response, and tissue remodeling. Dysregulation of the apoptotic pathways is responsible for the initiation and progression of numerous diseases like neurodegenerative diseases and cancer—these cellular dynamics at a molecular level help to develop targeted therapeutic strategies. Modern clinical approaches help to maintain cellular equilibrium in pathological conditions by modulating apoptosis.