Anti-apoptotic actions of cytokines in mammalian cells.

Apoptosis is now widely recognized as an important mode of cell death. Since the apoptotic pathway is an active process, modulation of apoptosis is important in our understanding of cell pathophysiology. Recent data have shown the inhibition of apoptosis in different cell types exposed to certain cytokines. Therapeutics that modulate the regulation of apoptosis provide an opportunity for the treatment of certain diseases. There are many reviews for apoptosis induction and the regulators involved. The present report selects important articles on the recent data showing the anti-apoptotic ability of cytokines in mammalian cells. Other novel compounds showing anti-apoptotic functions are also reviewed.