Apoptosis: an ocular perspective.

Abstract

Apoptosis is a programmed and controlled form of cell death, which is distinct from necrosis. It is a non-inflammatory process and plays an important role in numerous physiological and pathological events. It has an indispensable role in the development and homeostasis in tissues of all higher organisms. Apoptosis can be identified by various methods such as electron microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation analysis, Tdt-dUTP terminal nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, flow cytometry, annexin V staining and enzyme assays. A number of genes have been identified which are involved in this process. Many approaches for the control of apoptosis are being developed from the understanding of its molecular mechanisms. These include pharmacological inhibition or overexpression of the involved genes, gene therapy by viral transduction of apoptotic inhibitors, inhibition of proteases, inhibition of intracellular rise in calcium concentration and inhibition by scavenging mediators of apoptosis such as reactive oxygen species. In the eye, apoptosis seems to play a role starting from embryogenesis to diseases of all its components. Modulation of apoptosis using different inducers and inhibitors could be of great importance.