title: Spontaneous and glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in human mature T lymphocytes.
abstract: Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis is a well-recognized physiologic regulator of murine T-cell number and function. We have analyzed its mechanisms in human mature T cells, which have been thought to be insensitive until recently. Peripheral blood T cells showed sensitivity to GC-induced apoptosis soon after the proliferative response to a mitogenic stimulation, and were also sensitive to spontaneous (ie, growth factor deprivation-dependent) apoptosis. CD8+ T cells were more sensitive to both forms than CD4+ T cells. Acquisition of sensitivity to GC-induced apoptosis was not associated with any change in number or affinity of GC receptors. Both spontaneous and GC-induced apoptosis were increased by the macromolecular synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide (CHX) and puromycin. A positive correlation between the degree of protein synthesis inhibition and the extent of apoptosis was observed. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) IL-4, and IL-10 protected (IL-2 > IL-10 > IL-4) T cells from both forms of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest that spontaneous and GC-induced apoptosis regulate the human mature T-cell repertoire by acting early after the immune response and differentially affecting T-cell subsets.
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011691:Puromycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D011691:Puromycin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003513:Cycloheximide