The author of the article mentioned in my previous post suggests that
there are really (at least) three different kinds of programmed
cell death:
1. "Developmentally programmed"
2. "Biochemically programmed", as in cells treated with xenobiotic
drugs or ogranisms, inducing "focal" necrosis.
3. "Physiologically programmed cell death" as in organs
such as the liver, subsequent to hyperplasia, that
characterizes exposure to xenobiotic drugs.
I think he might contend that we should call each of these processes
what they are, rather than apply the label "apoptosis" to each, confusing
matters.
I'm not certain whether I agree, but I think it is a worthwhile discussion.
Bert Gold
