Cell free DNA fragmentation in health and disease

<p dir="ltr">Cell death is an important part of life. Cells have turnover rates that vary with function, environmental stressors, and disease state. Low turnover rates of long-lived differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes of the heart and neurons of the brain ensure tissue architecture, while high turnover rates are necessary for other cell types to meet physiological demands. For example, erythrocytes and intestinal epithelial cells turnover rapidly to maintain oxygen-carrying capacity and efficient nutrient absorption, respectively. Low turnover rates can also protect against mutation accumulation that can lead to tissue damage and disease in cells that proliferate. Estimating cell death can give us a lens into normal human physiology as well as offer a means to diagnose illness and better monitor patients undergoing treatment.</p>