Autoschizis- A new form of cell death, which has been shown to be triggered by oxidative stress.

Here are some key points to remember regarding autoschizis and ways to differentiate it from necrosis and apoptosis.

1. Autoschizis differs from apoptosis and necrosis and is characterized by reduction of cytoplasm to a narrow rim around the nucleus with chromatin marginating the entire nucleus from inside.
2. Mitochondria and other organelles aggregate around the nucleus as a consequence of cytoskeletal damage and loss of cytoplasm.
3. Interestingly, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is preserved until the late stages of autoschizis, in which cells fragment and the nucleolus becomes condensed and breaks into smaller fragments.
4. The nuclear envelope dissipates eventually with the remaining organelles after cell death. In this type of death, cells lose cytoplasm by self-morsellation or self-excision.
5. Autoschizis usually affects contiguous groups of cells both in vitro and in vivo but can also occasionally affect scattered individual cells trapped in subcapsular sinuses of lymph nodes.
6. Autoschizis can be initiated via in vivo treatment with Vitamin C (VC), synthetic Vitamin K (VK3) or, better, a combination of both.

REVIEW QUESTION

1.Which of the following is true regarding autoschizis?

A. It is similar to apoptosis

B. Only occurs in vivo

C. Can be induced in vivo via Vitamin C treatment

D. None of the above