title: Cytokines induce deoxyribonucleic acid strand breaks and apoptosis in human pancreatic islet cells.
abstract: We have previously observed that a 6-day exposure of human pancreatic islets to a combination of cytokines (interleukin-1beta 50 U/ml + tumour necrosis factor-alpha 1000 U/ml + interferon-gamma 1000 U/ml) severely impairs beta-cell functions. In the present study, we examined whether this condition affects DNA integrity and viability of human islet cells. Cells were studied after 3, 6, and 9 days of cytokine treatment by both single cell gel electrophoresis (the "comet assay," a sensitive method for detection of DNA strand breaks) and by a cytotoxicity assay using the DNA binding dyes Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide as indices for the number of viable, necrotic, and apoptotic cells. Cytokine treatment for 6 and 9 days resulted in a 50% increase in comet length (P < 0.01 vs. controls), indicating DNA strand breaks, as well as in a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells (P < 0.02 vs. controls), but not in the number of necrotic cells. The arginine analogs N(G)-nitro-L-arginine and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine prevented nitric oxide formation by the cytokines but did not interfere with cytokine-induced DNA strand breaks and apoptosis. The present data suggest that prolonged (6-9 days) exposure of human pancreatic islets to a mixture of cytokines induces DNA strand breaks and cell death by apoptosis. These deleterious effects of cytokines appear to be independent of nitric oxide generation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoorens
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pipeleers
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Eizirik
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007700:Kinetics; D009336:Necrosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D016207:Cytokines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C017807:bisbenzimide ethoxide trihydrochloride