Recent research at the University of Haifa has discovered for the first time a process involving the killing of living cells. The research, described in the journal Science Advances, discovered that during the cellular differentiation process in fruit flies, phagocytic cells consume and destroy healthy living cells.
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“We found that phagocytes can function as killers. It is well known that phagocytic cells engulf and dissolve dead cells. However, we show for the first time that they also kill newly formed normal cells. We have essentially identified a new cell death mechanism. Head of the Department of Human Biology at the University of Haifa and author of the study.” “The more we know about the mechanisms of cell death, the better we understand how to deal with various diseases, especially cancer,” Professor Hilla Toledano said. she said.
Research by the University of Haifa detects killer cells for the first time
The origin of many body tissues, including skin, hair, stomach and testicles, can be traced back to stem cells. These powerful stem cells ensure tissue regeneration by constantly providing new cells to replace old ones. In this process, each stem cell divides into two cells, one that is stored for future use and the other that develops to replace the lost cell in the tissue.
The body has a well-established and very important mechanism called cell death. Under normal conditions, cells have the ability to self-destruct when a severe mutation occurs or after they have served their purpose.
Researchers studying fruit flies initially blocked the phagocytes’ ability to eat and found no dead cells in the tissue. In the second phase, the researchers used real-time imaging to monitor living tissue and discovered that the progenitor cells were engulfed alive by the phagocyte and only then did the death process begin.
Describing the results of the research, Professor Toledano said, “For the first time, we have found a process that requires the killing of completely normal cells. We still do not know why this happens. Perhaps this process aims to provide nutrients to maintain a functional stem cell population throughout the life of the organism.” said.
Continuing his explanations, Professor Toledano underlined that these discoveries can also help defeat cancer.
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