Figure 1.

Programmed cell death pathways function as interconnected signaling networks that coordinate host defense. Stress- or infection-associated stimuli are detected through a repertoire of innate immune receptors, resulting in the concomitant or sequential activation of cell death signaling programs. Apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic signaling contribute various immunological outputs, including entry of cell- or pathogen-associated antigens into presentation pathways, the removal of a replicative niche for intracellular pathogens, de novo production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and release of DAMPs. The composition of these outputs tailors the generation of an immune response mounted in response to programmed cell death. Abbreviations: DAMP, damage-associated molecular pattern; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular pattern.