Apoptosis and necrosis are considered to be distinct modes of cell death; however, apoptosis can progress to secondary necrosis if apoptotic cells are not efficiently removed by phagocytic cells. Secondary necrosis was thought to be unregulated and to occur through passive cell swelling. However, research shows that secondary necrosis is another example of programmed cell death and that it is triggered by apoptotic stimuli. The amino-terminal portion of GSDMD oligomerizes and forms pores in the plasma membrane and thereby mediates necrotic cell death. The research found that a member of the gasdermin superfamily, DFNA5, is also a caspase target, but unlike GSDMD i...
