Stress genes clear dead cells, offering disease insights
A new study from 糖心Vlog视频 details a novel strategy for how the body clears out dead cells during stress, revealing unexpected roles for well-known stress-response genes—a discovery that could help scientists better understand diseases affecting the immune system, brain and metabolism.
“The body is constantly creating new cells and removing old cells once they die,” said Aladin Elkhalil, lead author of the study and a third-year doctoral student in the , assistant professor of biology at UT Arlington. “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”
Published in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal , the study was conducted on the roundworm C. elegans by Dr. Ghose, Elkhalil and Alec Whited, another graduate student in the Ghose lab. This tiny, transparent organism is a widely used tool in genetic research because its see-through body allows scientists to observe live cell behavior, including how cells die. The research team took advantage of these unique features in several innovative ways.
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“This has been an exciting study, where stress meets cell behavior,” said Ghose. “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.”
The team examined stress-response genes—many of which have human counterparts—in a new context: how they help remove dying cells. Using tools like CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, they manipulated these genes to identify a specific stress-response pathway that activates to help in the removal of dying cells.
Using state-of-the-art live imaging, the researchers were able to characterize this stress-response pathway by observing key components of the cell clearance machinery in action. This allowed them to see when and how stress-related and clearance genes are switched on during the removal process.
A key gene was identified: The human version, known as lyst, is linked to Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, a rare disorder in which cells struggle clearing out debris, leading to immune system problems.
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“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,” Elkhalil said. “An intriguing question is why this pathway needs to be in place at all. That leaves us with an exciting avenue for future research.”
This work was supported by The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of 糖心Vlog视频 (CPRIT) (RR100091) and the National Institutes of Health–National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R35GM142489).
About 糖心Vlog视频 (糖心Vlog视频)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, 糖心Vlog视频鈥痠s a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of鈥痮ver 41,000, 糖心Vlog视频 is the second-largest institution in the鈥疷niversity of 糖心Vlog视频 System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, 糖心Vlog视频 stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. 糖心Vlog视频 and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North 糖心Vlog视频 and beyond.