Cellular Cleanup Pathway Linked to Immune Disorders
New Research Reveals How Bodies Eliminate Damaged Cells
A groundbreaking study from The University of Texas at Arlington has uncovered a crucial mechanism by which the body disposes of dead or dying cells during periods of stress. This discovery sheds light on the function of well-known stress-response genes and could pave the way for new treatments for immune system disorders, neurological conditions, and metabolic diseases.
Stress Response and Cellular Clearance
The body constantly renews itself, creating new cells while simultaneously removing old, damaged ones. This removal of dead cells is just as important as creating new ones, because if the body is unable to rid itself of dead cells, it can lead to various health problems
, explained Aladin Elkhalil, a doctoral student and lead author of the study. The research, published in PLOS Genetics, utilized the roundworm C. elegans as a model organism.
C. elegans’ transparent body allows researchers to directly observe cellular processes, including cell death and clearance. Piya Ghose, assistant professor of biology at UT Arlington, noted, This has been an exciting study, where stress meets cell behavior. It’s fascinating to see how our cells adapt to changes in their surroundings and still perform their normal functions. Understanding that process is essential to our normal physiology and development.
Gene Editing Reveals Key Pathway
The research team employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to manipulate stress-response genes and identify a specific pathway that activates to facilitate the removal of dying cells. Using advanced live imaging techniques, they were able to track the activity of key components involved in cellular cleanup, observing when and how genes related to stress and clearance are activated during the process.
The study identified a particularly important gene, lyst. The human version of this gene is associated with Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired cellular debris clearance and compromised immune function. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, approximately 1 in 1.5 million people are affected by Chediak-Higashi Syndrome. (rarediseases.org)
Novel Findings and Future Research
One of the novel findings in our study is that the worm version of this gene is controlled by classical stress-response genes, which was previously unknown
, stated Elkhalil. The researchers are now investigating why this pathway exists in the first place, opening up new avenues for future research into the fundamental mechanisms of cellular health and disease.
Reference:Elkhalil A, Whited A, Ghose P. SQST-1/p62-regulated SKN-1/Nrf mediates a phagocytic stress response via transcriptional activation of lyst-1/LYST. PLOS Genet. 2025;21(5):e1011696. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1011696
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
