Fig. 7
Regulation of cell death morphology by thermal stimulation, and cholesterol-induced membrane fluidity and necrosis. Heat shock-induced cell death is broadly classified into two types, early necrosis and late apoptosis. They each have their own independent control mechanisms. In necrosis, heat-induced enhancement of membrane fluidity is suppressed by cholesterol, preventing membrane disruption. Thus, cholesterol-rich cells are resistant to heat-induced necrosis. Cholesterol depletion is the way to convert thermal resistant cells into sensitive cells.
