Caspase Dependent Programmed Cell Death in Developing Embryos: A Potential Target for Therapeutic Intervention against Pathogenic Nematodes
2011

Inducing Cell Death in Nematode Embryos for New Treatments

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Alok Das Mohapatra, Sunil Kumar, Ashok Kumar Satapathy, Balachandran Ravindran

Primary Institution: Institute of Life Sciences, DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

Hypothesis

Can inducing apoptosis in the embryos of pathogenic nematodes provide a new therapeutic approach against these parasites?

Conclusion

Inducing apoptosis in the developing embryos of pathogenic nematodes could be a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention.

Supporting Evidence

  • Flow cytometry assays demonstrated multiple features of apoptosis in nematode embryos.
  • Curcumin was identified as the most effective agent for inducing apoptosis.
  • Induction of apoptosis was confirmed through caspase activity assays.

Takeaway

This study shows that making baby worms die can help fight the bad worms that make people sick.

Methodology

Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to assess apoptosis in developing embryos of the nematode Setaria digitata.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on one type of nematode and may not be generalizable to all parasitic worms.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pntd.0001306

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