Citotoksičnost

Citotoksičnost je svojstvo toksičnosti za ćelije. Primeri toksičnih agenasa su imunske ćelije ili neki tipovi otrova, e.g. iz zmija vrste Bitis arietans ili pauka vrste Loxosceles reclusa.

Ćelijska fiziologija

Treating cells with the cytotoxic compound can result in a variety of cell fates. The cells may undergo necrosis, in which they lose membrane integrity and die rapidly as a result of cell lysis. The cells can stop actively growing and dividing (a decrease in cell viability), or the cells can activate a genetic program of controlled cell death (apoptosis).

Cells undergoing necrosis typically exhibit rapid swelling, lose membrane integrity, shut down metabolism and release their contents into the environment. Cells that undergo rapid necrosis in vitro do not have sufficient time or energy to activate apoptotic machinery and will not express apoptotic markers. Apoptosis is characterized by well defined cytological and molecular events including a change in the refractive index of the cell, cytoplasmic shrinkage, nuclear condensation and cleavage of DNA into regularly sized fragments. Cells in culture that are undergoing apoptosis eventually undergo secondary necrosis. They will shut down metabolism, lose membrane integrity and lyse.

Spoljašnje veze

• Cytotoxins на US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• Cytotoxicity Assays, Promega Corporation