In which of the following pathological processes caspases are involved in?
Apoptosis
Fatty change
Hydropic degeneration
Collagen hyalinosis
Apoptosis can be initiated by external signals that have features in common with those used by ligands such as TNF- or by an internal pathway activated by DNA damage, improperly folded proteins, or withdrawal of cell survival factors. Regardless of the mode of initiation, the apoptotic program is carried out by a large family of cysteineproteases termed caspases. The caspases are highly specific cytoplasmic proteases that are inactive in normal cells but become activated by apoptotic signals. Ref: Blumenthal D.K., Garrison J.C. (2011). Chapter 3. Pharmacodynamics: Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Action. In L.L. Brunton, B.A. Chabner, B.C. Knollmann (Eds), Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12e.