Cytokine induced apoptosis in human retinoblastoma cells

[摘要] Purpose: To determine potential anti-proliferative properties ofinterferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) onhuman retinoblastoma cells.Methods: Fluorescent antibody staining was used to detectIFN-γ and TNF-α receptors on the cells. Y79 and Weri Rb-1cells were exposed to IFN-γ alone, TNF-α alone, or acombination of IFN-γ and TNF-α, and apoptosis was measured bycaspase 3 activation and annexin V staining. Cell cycle arrest wasmeasured by BrdU incorporation and FACS analysis.Results: Both cell lines expressed receptors for IFN-γ andTNF-α. There appeared to be two populations of both receptors inthe Weri Rb-1 cell line. Apoptosis was induced in Y79 cells byIFN-γ, but not TNF-α, and the combination of the cytokines didnot increase apoptosis above IFN-γ alone in Y79 cells. Apoptosiswas induced in Weri Rb-1 cells only upon exposure to both cytokines. Thecell cycle was not significantly altered in either cell line.Conclusions: Human retinoblastoma cells respond to IFN-γ or acombination of IFN-γ and TNF-α by becoming apoptotic, butY79 and Weri Rb-1 cells behave differently. The differential response ofthe two cell lines is not due to a lack of expression of IFN-γ orTNF-α receptors. The data raise the possibility that differencesin apoptotic pathways exist between the two cell lines with interestingimplications for the induction of apoptosis as a therapy forretinoblastoma.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理