Serotonin and apoptosis: studies on rat lymphocytes.
OBJECTIVE
The apoptogenic potential of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) on mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes was studied in primary cultures of rat spleen cells, in two sets of experiments.


METHODS
Apoptosis was measured by morphologic criteria and flow cytometry.


RESULTS
In both assays, serotonin, at a concentration producing half-maximal inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, significantly increased the basal levels of apoptosis.


CONCLUSIONS
An apoptotic mechanism should be taken into account when considering immunoinhibition induced by serotonin.
Stefulj
Jasminka
J
Department of Molecular Genetics, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
Jakopec
Sanjica
S
Osmak
Maja
M
Jernej
Branimir
B
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin