Simple, fast method of detection apoptosis in lymphoid cells.

To facilitate the analysis of apoptotic cells, the present study proposes a new quantitative method based on the changes of light scatter properties of lymphoid cells undergoing apoptosis measured with a hematology analyzer. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 40 chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia samples, five acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia samples, three healthy donors and from T-cell lines Jurkat, SUB-T1 and SUP T8) were cultured during 72 hours in medium alone or in the presence of chlorambucil, fludarabine or theophylline, all compounds known to be apoptosis inducers, with or without adjunction of interleukin 4. Samples were run on a Bayer-H1 system and the percentage of apoptotic cells was evaluated by monitoring the lobularity index corresponding to the polymorphonuclear population.

Theophylline synergizes with chlorambucil in inducing apoptosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

We tested the effects of theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor inducing intracellular accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), on malignant B cells from 15 patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). We observed a large increase in apoptotic cell numbers (mean, 90% v 20% in medium alone) in the presence of theophylline (100 micrograms/mL) or chlorambucil (10 mumol/L) after 72 hours of incubation. Maximal apoptosis (90%) was reached after 36 hours when the two drugs were used together at fourfold lower concentrations, indicating a synergistic effect; no effect was observed with normal B cells, suggesting that the combination might have therapeutic interest.

CD23-mediated nitric oxide synthase pathway induction in human keratinocytes is inhibited by retinoic acid derivatives.

Retinoids exert various functions including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects on many cell types including keratinocytes and are widely used in skin diseases, such as psoriasis and acne. We have previously shown that human keratinocytes express low affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcepsilonRII/CD23) when stimulated with interleukin-4. Immunoglobulin E ligates CD23 and induces the production of nitrites (reflecting the mobilization of the nitric oxide [NO]-pathway) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by human keratinocytes.

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor induces Fc epsilon RII/CD23 expression on normal human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Three major molecules have been recognized as IgE-binding structures on hematopoietic cells: the heterotrimeric high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI), the low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) and the Mac-2/IgE-binding protein (epsilon BP). The latter has been shown to be expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), where it regulates IgE-dependent activation. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether the IgE-binding capacity of PMN is mediated exclusively by this molecule.

Growth arrest and terminal differentiation of leukemic myelomonocytic cells induced through ligation of surface CD23 antigen.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells express CD23 surface antigen after in vitro treatment with various cytokines, including interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma. Subsequent ligation of CD23 by specific monoclonal antibody (MoAb) induces substantial morphologic and functional modifications in these cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of CD23 in the proliferation and the maturation of leukemic cells from AML patients or the U937 cell line.