Glucocorticoids induce basophil apoptosis - 03/09/11
Abstract |
Background: Induction of apoptosis represents an important mechanism by which glucocorticoids (GCCs) exert their anti-inflammatory properties. The effects of GCCs on apoptosis have been determined in various immune cells and found to vary among different cell types. On the other hand, the effects of GCCs on apoptosis of basophils, active participants in allergic inflammation, have remained obscure. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of GCCs on basophil apoptosis. Methods: Basophils were highly purified (purity, >97%) by Percoll density gradient centrifugation followed by negative selection. Cell status was determined by their ability to bind annexin V and exclude propidium iodide. DNA fragmentation was determined by flow cytometry. Results: Dexamethasone (DEX) significantly accelerated the decrease in live cells and increased the number of apoptotic cells in a time-dependent fashion. Light microscopy as well as DNA fragmentation assay confirmed the induction of apoptosis by DEX. A half-maximal effect was observed in a DEX concentration range from 10–9 to 10–8 mol/L. Sex steroids did not induce basophil apoptosis at all. DEX also induced basophil apoptosis in the presence of low doses of IL-3. Conclusion: GCCs exert potent apoptogenic effects on basophils. GCC-mediated apoptogenic effects on basophils might have implications with respect to the mechanism of action of this class of drugs in allergic disorders. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:215-20.)
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Basophils, apoptosis, glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, IL-3, annexin V, allergy, eosinophils
Abbreviations : DEX:, GCC:, PI:
Plan
| Supported by a grant from the Manabe Medical Foundation, grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor of Japan (to K.H. and M.Y.), grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan (to K.H. and M.Y.), and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellowships for Young Scientists (to M.I. and M.M.). |
|
| Reprint requests: Koichi Hirai, MD, PhD, Department of Bioregulatory Function, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. |
Vol 108 - N° 2
P. 215-220 - août 2001 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?
