PMID: 8950237Nov 1, 1996Paper

The role of BCL-2 and bax protein in monocyte-mediated apoptosis in human leukemic cell lines

Experimental Hematology
M C LegdeurG J Schuurhuis

Abstract

Monocytes or monocyte-derived supernatants are able to kill leukemic cells via apoptosis, thereby preferentially effecting more mature leukemic cells. In the present study, the relationship between apoptosis and the apoptosis related proteins, bcl-2 and bax, was investigated in a number of human leukemic cell lines. Monocyte-derived supernatant induces extensive apoptosis in U937 myeloid leukemia cells and minor apoptosis in HL60 cells. No apoptosis was seen in four other cell lines (THP1, HL60-D3, KG1, and K562). The expression of bcl-2 and bax protein was determined in both groups of leukemic cell lines by flow cytometry (bcl-2 and bax) and Western blotting (bcl-2) at baseline level and after incubation with monocyte supernatant after different time periods. No clear relation was found between baseline bcl-2 or bax protein expression and the occurrence of apoptosis after incubation with monocyte supernatant. After different incubation time periods, no change was found in bcl-2 protein expression in U937 and K562 cells, whereas in KG1, HL60, and especially in THP1 cells, a significant decrease could be noticed. On the other hand, there was an increase in bcl-2 expression in HL60-D3 cells. Bax protein expression, measured at th...Continue Reading

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