Interference of CD95 expression on human lymphocytes.

The study presents the exogenous influence of cadmium in comparison with zinc on the apoptosis of human lymphocytes by CD95 expression and its kinetic changes. The salts of both metals were used in final concentrations of 20 microM in cell cultures with whole blood. The duration of cultivation was 18 and 90 hours. The expression of surface antigens was evaluated by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies. In cultures of not stimulated cells we found in average 51.54% CD95 positive lymphocytes. The kinetic study of untreated cells showed elevation after 18 hours of cultivation and a very low expression after 90 hours. The CD95 expression on lymphocytes in cell culture with cadmium and zinc was lower after 18 hours of cultivation than in untreated cells. After 90 hours cultivation we found low levels of CD95 expression on cells treated with cadmium and a great individual variability in the number of positive cells upon the influence of zinc.