Cell population dynamics (apoptosis, mitosis, and cell-cell communication) during disruption of homeostasis.
The sequence of events involved in maintenance of homeostasis must encompass mechanisms within single cells as well as interactions between cells within a population. To investigate the interaction among these inter- and intracellular mechanisms, disruption of homeostasis by serum deprivation was performed in WB-F344, a normal diploid epithelial cell line. Changes in cell-cell communication (gap junction function) at the population level and in individual cells were monitored using the scrape load/dye transfer and fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching assays. Apoptosis and mitosis were measured using internucleosomal DNA ladder assays and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The results indicate that a common element in early apoptosis and early mitosis is sustained gap junction function. As cell life (mitosis) and cell death (apoptosis) progressed, a common process of change in gap junction function occurred. A transient stimulation of mitosis concomitant with increased apoptosis was also observed during serum deprivation. Gap junctions may play a regulatory role during initiation of these opposite yet equally important mechanisms of maintaining homeostasis. This model system is useful for further studies on the relationships among inter- and intracellular mechanisms of homeostasis.
Wilson
M R
MR
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. wilson31@pilot.msu.edu
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T W
TW
Trosko
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology*; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D018031:Connexin 43; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D009707:Nucleosomes