ABSTRACT
Recent advances in the determination of cell death mechanisms have not only clarified how molecular alterations lead to the morphological changes readily observed with oncosis and apoptosis, but have also revealed how these two pathways share common mediators. In many cases, the end stages of cell death are easily measured and observed, but the challenge remains to completely determine and understand the steps between the injurious insult and the end stages of cell death. Because renal dysfunction is a direct downstream result of the pathological events occurring at the cellular and subcellular levels, the mechanisms of cell death must be elucidated to prevent acute renal failure (ARF) and to develop treatments. This chapter describes the distinguishing characteristics and signaling pathways of oncosis and apoptosis as they relate to acute renal cell death.
