title: [Demonstration of cell death process by apoptosis in cat lymphocytes infected by FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)].
abstract: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the causative agent of feline AIDS, induces a disease syndrome in cats characterized by a decreased lymphocyte-proliferative response to mitogens at all stages of infection and selective depletion of CD4 lymphocyte subsets. In this work, we report that peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from FIV-infected cats undergo a spontaneous death, in vitro, according to a programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis. This phenomenon has also been seen in peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-infected humans and SIV-infected macaques. Four different techniques were used to document PCD in FIV-infected cats. DNA gel electrophoresis has shown a DNA fragmentation pattern with DNA fragments displaying sizes corresponding to multiples of oligonucleosomes DNA length unit (180 bp). Transmission electron microscopy revealed condensation of both nuclear chromatin and cytoplasm. An increase in the percentage of fragmented DNA was demonstrated by Burton's technique. In addition, flow cytometric analysis detected a cell population with condensed chromatin. The spontaneous PCD in FIV-infected cats could not be inhibited by RNA synthesis inhibitors or protein synthesis inhibitors. Our results could have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of FIV-infection and establishing specific strategies against apoptosis in cats and humans.
authors.affiliation: Rhône Mérieux, Laboratoires IFFA, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Guiot
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rigal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernaud
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aeberle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soulier
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chappuis
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002415:Cats; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
vernacular_title: Mise en évidence d'un phénomène de mort cellulaire par apoptose dans les lymphocytes de chats infectés par le FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).