Apoptotic-resistance of the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1 to irradiation is converted to apoptotic-susceptibility by hydrogen peroxide: a potent role of hydrogen peroxide as a new radiosensitizer

In our previous study, we demonstrated that the radioresistance of the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, was considered to arise, at least in part, from the low level of ROS formation following irradiation, which in turn may have resulted from the strong scavenging ability of the cells for free radicals, including hydroxyl radicals. Following the study, we found that addition of 1 or 10 mM hydrogen peroxide induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and early apoptotic changes in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1. We therefore speculated that combined use of irradiation and hydrogen peroxide might exert an additive effect for apoptotic-resistant tumors such as the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, in terms of preservation of the radiation-induced hydroxyl radical production supported by the intracellular ROS formation that is induced by exogenous hydrogen peroxide addition. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect of various doses of irradiation on the existence of 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide in the culture medium. We found that irradiation with 10 or 20 Gy, under the condition of the presence of 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide, induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and early apoptotic changes in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, though ROS formation and oxidative DNA damage were scarcely seen in response to irradiation of up to 30 Gy, as was shown in our previous study. We therefore concluded that the combined modality of irradiation and such a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide (0.1 mM) is potentially applicable in clinical radiotherapy for many kinds of apoptotic-resistant neoplasms in terms of achieving both local control and improving survival benefit of patients.     

A combination of selective COX-2 inhibitors and hydrogen peroxide increase the reactive oxygen species formation in osteosarcoma cells after X-ray irradiation

We investigated whether a combination of selective COX-2 inhibitors and hydrogen peroxide increases the effect of X-ray irradiation, with regard to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in an osteosarcoma cell line. COX-2 inhibitor did not induce ROS formation when combined with irradiation. A low dose concentration of COX-2 inhibitor in combination with hydrogen peroxide and irradiation did affect ROS formation in the intracellular compartment; however, this same combination of agents at high doses did not modulate the effect of irradiation. Therefore, low doses of COX-2 inhibitor and hydrogen peroxide together, in combination with irradiation, is a potentially useful alternative form of radiotherapy for apoptotic-resistant neoplasms such as osteosarcoma.     

Reactive oxygen species-producing site in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells: involvement of lysosomal membrane destabilization

In our previous study, we examined the effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide, which causes a potent oxidative stress and has been demonstrated to be a potent apoptosis-inducer in many kinds of cells. We found that the addition of 1 or 10 mM hydrogen peroxide induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, oxidative DNA damage, dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and early apoptotic changes in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1. We therefore concluded that intracellular ROS formation was involved in the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of HS-Os-1 cells. In contrast to the osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, human peripheral T cells are considered to be easily susceptible to oxidative stress, because these cells lack peroxidase activity. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the site of ROS formation by utilizing MitoCapture, H2DCFDA (succinimidyl ester of dichloro-dihydrofluorescein diacetate), DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), and LysoSensor. Our results showed that ROS formation was apparently diffusely distributed in T cells oxidatively stressed with 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, lysosomal swelling and deformity, possibly revealing lysosomal membrane destabilization, were observed in these cells. Based on the above results, there exists an apoptotic cascade involving early lysosomal membrane destabilization in the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells. Therefore, the possible involvement of lysosomal protease leakage caused by hydroxyl radical formation in lysosomes (possibly resulting in mitochondrial membrane dysfunction) is considered to play an important role in hydrogen peroxide-induced T cell apoptosis.     

Mechanism of hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1

In our previous study, we examined radiation-induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, early apoptotic changes, and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, which was established from an osteoblastic tumor that arose in the left humerus of an 11-year-old girl and was already morphologically characterized in vitro and in vivo. We found that ROS formation and oxidative DNA damage were scarcely seen after irradiation of up to 30 Gy in these cells; that mitochondrial membrane potential was preserved; and that apoptotic changes were not demonstrated despite the relatively high-dose irradiation of 30 Gy. Based on these results, the radioresistance of the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, was considered to arise, at least in part, from the low level of ROS formation following irradiation, which in turn may have resulted from the strong scavenging ability of the cells for free radicals, including hydroxyl radicals. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide, which causes a potent oxidative stress and has been demonstrated to be a potent apoptosis-inducer in many kinds of cells. We found that addition of 1 or 10 mM hydrogen peroxide induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and early apoptotic changes in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1. We therefore concluded that intracellular ROS formation is involved in the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of HS-Os-1 cells.     

Immunocytochemical characteristics of human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1: possible implication in apoptotic resistance against irradiation

In our previous study, we examined reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in T lymphocytes following 5 Gy irradiation. We found that ROS formation occurred immediately after irradiation, continued for several hours, and resulted in oxidative DNA damage. Therefore, the origin of the hyper-radiosensitivity of T lymphocytes seemed to be the high production of ROS in the mitochondrial DNA following irradiation. In the succeeding study, we examined radiation-induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, early apoptotic changes, and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1. We found that ROS formation and oxidative DNA damage were actually scarcely seen after irradiation of up to 30 Gy in these cells, that mitochondrial membrane potential was preserved, and that apoptotic changes were not demonstrated despite the relatively high-dose irradiation of 30 Gy. In the present study, we examined the immunocytochemical characteristics of the apoptotic-resistance of the HS-Os-1 cell line against irradiation in order to clarify its possible implications regarding radiosensitivity. The results showed that these cells lack P53 and Bax protein expression, and strong peroxidase activity was confirmed in the nuclei of the cells. Moreover, SODII (manganese superoxide dismutase II) protein expression was gradually increased in spite of irradiation of up to 30 Gy. Therefore, it is concluded that HS-Os-1 cells are originally apoptotic-resistant and that the cells possess a strong ability to scavenge for free radicals. To convert these cells to a state of apoptotic-susceptibility, a powerful oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide might exert such an effect in terms of the production of hydroxyl radicals in lysosomes in the cells as shown in our previous studies. The origin of the radioresistance of the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1 is considered to to be low degree of ROS formation following irradiation, reflecting the strong scavenging ability of these cells for free radicals including hydroxyl radicals.     

Enhancement by X-ray irradiation of target cell susceptibility to natural killer cells

The in vitro effect of X-ray irradiation on tumor cell susceptibility to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells was studied in human systems. When relatively NK-resistant T24 bladder transitional carcinoma cells were irradiated with X-rays and cultured for 18 h, they showed increased sensitivity to lysis by blood lymphocytes in a 4-h 51Cr release assay. No enhancement was seen when irradiated target cells were tested immediately after exposure to X-rays. The X-ray-induced augmentation was observed with as little as 1 Gy of irradiation, the level of which was comparable to that observed at higher doses. The doses of X-rays did not influence the viability and spontaneous release of the target cells. Treatment with mitomycin C of target cells did not change their NK sensitivity. On the other hand, irradiation with X-rays of blood lymphocytes resulted in a transient increase in NK activity at 3 h, and then the activity declined and was completely lost by 24 h. However, when irradiated lymphocytes were stimulated with interferon (IFN), they maintained the high activity against untreated T24 cells. These results suggest the possible use of relatively low doses of X-ray irradiation in combination with IFN for treatment of human cancer.     

Prevention of hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells by a lysosomotropic iron chelator, ammonium chloride

Human peripheral T cells are considered to be easily susceptible to oxidative stress because these cells lack peroxidase activity. Therefore, in a previous study, we investigated the site of ROS formation by utilizing Mito-Capture, H(2)DCFDA (succinimidyl ester of dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate), DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), and LysoSensor. Our results showed that ROS formation was apparently diffusely distributed in T cells oxidatively stressed with 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, lysosomal swelling and deformity, possibly revealing lysosomal membrane destabilization, were observed in these cells. Based on the above-mentioned results, we concluded that an apoptotic cascade involving early lysosomal membrane destabilization exists in the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells. Therefore, the possible involvement of lysosomal protease leakage caused by hydroxyl radical formation in lysosomes (possibly resulting in mitochondrial membrane dysfunction) is considered to play an important role in hydrogen peroxide-induced T cell apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide-mediated destabilization of lysosomal membranes with release of hydrolytic enzymes such as many kinds of cathepsins into the cell cytoplasm can lead to a cascade eventuating in cell death. To assess the importance of the intralysosomal pool of redox-active iron, we examined the effect of blockade of lysosomal digestion by exposing T cells to the lysosomotropic alkalinizing agent ammonium chloride (NH(4)Cl). Preincubation of human peripheral T cells with 10 mM NH(4)Cl for 4 h dramatically decreased apoptotic death caused by subsequent exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and lysosomes and mitochondria showed almost normally preserved appearance. Therefore, we concluded here that lysosomal protease leakage caused by hydrogen peroxide in T cells was prevented by preincubation with ammonium chloride (NH(4)Cl).     

The role of selective COX-2 inhibitors in reactive oxygen species formation in osteosarcoma cells after X-ray irradiation

Selective inhibition of COX-2 is thought to prevent carcinogenesis in some malignant tumors. In this study, in an effort to enhance the effectiveness of osteosarcoma treatment, we investigated the effect of a selective inhibitor of COX-2, with or without irradiation. We also asked whether selective COX-2 inhibitors increase the effect of X-ray irradiation, with regard to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in an osteosarcoma cell line. Our results showed that the presence of COX-2 inhibitor without irradiation results in faint spots of ROS formation that do not appear in the absence of COX-2 inhibitor. However, COX-2 inhibitor did not induce ROS formation when combined with irradiation. Thus, radiotherapy with selective COX-2 inhibitions has limitations in the treatment of radioresistant osteosarcoma to obtain the effective achievement, it is indispensable to combine another agent in future studies.     

Suppressor, helper and immunoregulatory T cells in normal human blood as defined by theophylline sensitivity

Two functionally distinct subpopulations of human T cells, one T suppressor and the other T-helper lymphocytes, were separated from normal donor human peripheral blood and tested for immunoregulatory properties. The separation of these two populations was performed by the aid of theophylline sensitivity as described by Shore et al. [1]. In order to assess the activity of the suppressor and helper T lymphocytes, a local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) according to the method of Shohat et al. [13] was used. These studied demonstrated that the theophylline sensitive (TS) T-suppressor cells have a suppressor effect on normal human T cells. They were further found to consist of two cell subsets, one suppressive and radiosensitive and the other radioresistant and having the ability to induce feedback help, a finding which may explain the inverse relationship found between the quantity of TS cells added and the degree of suppression obtained in the GVHR as well as the enhancement of the GVHR obtained after addition of irradiated TS cells to autologous T cells. The theophylline resistant (TR) T cells were found to have a helper action when added to autologous T cells and were radioresistant. Soluble cell-free factors from both TS and TR cells were found to mimic the function of the cells from which they were extracted.     

γ射线辐照外周血单个核细胞联合ApoG2体外杀伤PC-3细胞的效应

目的：观察低剂量辐射外周血单个核细胞联合棉酚衍生物ApoG2对体外培养人前列腺癌PC-3细胞的杀伤作用。方法：采用1Gyγ射线照射人外周血单个核细胞,辐射剂量率为17Gy／min,实验设对照组、照射及未照射的外周血单个核细胞与PC．3细胞共培养组、ApoG2处理组及照射的外周血单个核细胞与ApoG2联合作用组。利用吖啶橙／溴化乙啶（AO／EB）荧光双染色法及MTT法,观察外周血单个核细胞和／或ApoG2对肿瘤细胞的杀伤情况。结果：辐照的外周血单个核细胞及ApoG2处理组对PC-3的杀伤作用明显增强,杀伤活性明显高于未辐照组（P〈0．05）,而联合作用组的杀伤活性明显高于辐照组及Ap0G2处理组（（P〈O．01）。结论：低剂量辐射外周血单个核细胞联合ApoG2可以明显提高其体外的抗肿瘤效应。     

In vitro X-ray irradiation of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes enhances suppressor function

We studied the effect of in vitro X-ray irradiation on human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, with regard to their suppressor activity related to the concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppressor system. To generate suppressor T lymphocytes, purified human T lymphocytes were incubated for 3 days in the first culture, with or without Con A. These lymphocytes were irradiated with various doses of X-ray before, mid or after the culture. After doing a second culture for 6 days, we measured the suppressive influence of these cells on T lymphocyte proliferation rates stimulated with allogeneic mononuclear cells, and B lymphocyte proliferation rates stimulated with pokeweed mitogen. Irradiation (1,000 rad) of cultures to which Con A had not been added induced much the same level of suppressor activity as seen in the cultures with Con A. The suppressor activity gradually increased with lapse of time from the irradiation to the suppressor cell assay. Suppressor T lymphocytes were resistant to X-ray irradiation and independent of DNA synthesis. On the other hand, irradiation-induced enhancement was minimal in cultures incubated with Con A, regardless of the irradiation time. As irradiation of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes was found to induce a suppressor function in vitro, clinical and experimental applications of irradiation in cases of a suppressed T lymphocyte function may be feasible.     

唑来膦酸刺激健康人和骨肉瘤PBMCs体外扩增γδT细胞

目的:探讨唑来膦酸(Zol)联合IL-2对健康人和骨肉瘤患者末梢血γδT细胞的扩增和细胞毒性作用的影响。方法:取健康人和骨肉瘤患者外周血来源的单个核细胞,分别使用IL-2和Zol联合IL-2刺激体外扩增,流式细胞技术检测γδT细胞的纯度,并计算其扩增倍数。以Daudi细胞作为阳性对照、Raji细胞为阴性对照,并以人成骨细胞系hFOB细胞作为正常对照,用LDH法检测扩增后γδT细胞的细胞毒活性的变化。结果:健康人和骨肉瘤患者外周血单核细胞经过体外14 d的培养,Zol联合IL-2组可高度选择性扩增γδT细胞,并且扩增后γδT细胞具有杀伤活性,而对正常细胞无杀伤活性。结论:健康人和骨肉瘤患者PBMCs经唑来膦酸联合IL-2刺激后,可获得高纯度具有较强的杀伤作用的γδT细胞。     

Mechanism of apoptotic resistance of human osteosarcoma cell line,HS-Os-1, against irradiation

In our previous study, we examined reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in T lymphocytes following 5 Gy of irradiation. Using a CCD camera system, we monitored fluorescence in T lymphocytes loaded with the succinimidyl ester of Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), which is non-fluorescent until oxidized by ROS. We found that ROS formation occurred immediately after irradiation, continued for several hours, and resulted in oxidative DNA damage. Therefore, the origin of the hyper-radiosensitivity of T lymphocytes seemed to be the high production of ROS in the mitochondrial DNA following irradiation. In this study, we examined radiation-induced ROS formation, oxidative DNA damage, early apoptotic changes, and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction in the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, which was established from an osteoblastic tumor that arose in the left humerus of an 11-year-old girl and was already morphologically characterized in vitro and in vivo. We found that ROS formation and oxidative DNA damage were actually scarcely seen after irradiation of up to 30 Gy in these cells; that mitochondrial membrane potential was preserved; and that apoptotic changes were not demonstrated despite the relatively high-dose irradiation of 30 Gy. Therefore, the origin of the close similarity of radiosensitivity between adult articular chondrocytes and the human osteosarcoma cell line HS-Os-1, is considered to involve the low degree of ROS formation following irradiation; the similarity possibly results from the strong scavenging ability of these two kinds of cells for free radicals including hydroxyl radicals.     

Effect of whole-body irradiation on precursor frequency of autoantibody-secreting cells and plaque-forming cells specific for bromelain-modified erythrocytes

Murine spleen cells and peritoneal cells were assayed for autoantibody production against bromelain-modified mouse erythrocytes (mouse brom-RBC) after whole-body irradiation at a dose of 5 Gy. Spleens were taken directly from mice 3 days after irradiation, or cultured for 3 days 24 h after irradiation, and assayed. Cells taken directly from irradiated mice had a higher number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) against mouse brom-RBC, compared with unirradiated mice, when the data were expressed as PFC/10(6) viable cells. This apparent increase can be accounted for by the reduced number of cells in the spleens from irradiated mice. In both spleen cells and peritoneal cells cultured in high cell densities, no difference was observed in the number of PFC in cells from irradiated or unirradiated mice. The detected precursor frequency of autoimmune B cells in both cell populations cultured in limiting dilution was found to be lower in cells from irradiated mice. In contrast to other published data, it was concluded from these investigations that whole-body irradiation, at a dose of 5 Gy, does not augment autoantibody production against mouse brom-RBC. It is proposed that the reason for this is the presence of a regulatory cell that is relatively radioresistant and, hence, not removed after whole-body irradiation at a dose of 5 Gy.     

Radiosensitivity of T and B lymphocytes. I. Effect of irradiation on cell migration

To study the effect of irradiation on cell migration, populations of recirculating lymphocytes consisting predominantly of either T or B lymphocytes were labeled with ⁵¹Cr, exposed to various doses of irradiation in vitro and transferred intravenously to syngeneic mice. Cell recipients were killed at intervals to determine levels of radioactivity in various organs. On the basis of radioactive counts, small T lymphocytes homed normally to the lymphoid tissues within 4 h of injection (primary migration) in spite of prior exposure to heavy irradiation, e.g. 5000 r. Primary migration, especially to the lymph nodes, was greatly reduced, however, when irradiated cells were cultured in vitro for 1–7 h before injection. This suggested that cell damage following irradation was not manifested immediately, but developed slowly over several hours. This was supported by observations that, with cells injected immediately after irradiation, even doses as low as 50 r caused a marked reduction in secondary migration, i.e. migration occurring between 4 and 24 h after cell injection. Activated T cells proved to be more radioresistant than small T cells in that secondary migration of activated cells was not abolished, although reduced, by high doses of irradiation. B cells were found to be extremely radiosensitive. Thus, in contrast to T cells, primary migration of B cells was greatly reduced by heavy irradiation. Secondary migration of B cells, although limited, was abolished by 100 r. When lymphocytes were irradiated and placed in tissue culture for 4 days, virtually no B cells survived exposure to 300 r. This dose reduced viability of T cells by 90 %. Five to 10 % of T cells, however, remained viable after exposure to doses as high as 1000 r. The results, as a whole, suggested that both T and B small lymphocytes die in interphase soon after irradiation, death occurring very rapidly with B cells, but less rapidly with T cells. Interphase death of activated T cells seemed to occur comparatively slowly.     

Ultraviolet B irradiation and cytomegalovirus infection synergize to induce the cell surface expression of 52-kD/Ro antigen

Cultured human fibroblasts (MRC-5) have been previously demonstrated to express calreticulin, but not Ro autoantigen, on their surface after human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The present study addresses the question of whether other stimuli, alone or in combination with CMV, can induce the surface expression of Ro autoantigens on human fibroblasts. Using a fixed-cell ELISA to detect autoantigen expression, a synergistic effect between ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and CMV infection on the surface expression of 52-kD/Ro antigen, but not 60-kD/Ro or calreticulin, was observed. The enhanced expression of 52-kD/Ro antigen was significant and specific, compared with untreated cells, cells infected with CMV alone or irradiated with UVB only, and cells subjected to other treatments, such as low pH. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed these findings and indicated that cells expressed 52-kD/Ro protein on their surface at 24 h after a combined UVB and CMV treatment. These studies provide evidence that synergy between UVB irradiation and CMV infection may play a role in the induction of cell surface expression of the human autoantigen, 52-kD/Ro.     

The relative contributions of B and T lymphocytes in the human peripheral blood mutagen test system as determined by cell survival,mitogenic stimulation,and induction of chromosome aberrations by radiation

Ficoll-Hypaque-separated subpopulations of human peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes were exposed to 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 Gy of γ rays. Three parameters were examined: Survival, as measured by trypan blue dye exclusion in unstimulated cultures five days after irradiation; mitotic index, measured in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures 48 and 72 hours after irradiation; and chromosome aberration frequency, measured 48 or 60 hours after irradiation. Survival curves of T, B, and null cells are biphasic; the D₀ values for the radiosensitive populations of all three cell types are close to 0.6 Gy but are different for the radioresistant populations: 2.7 Gy for B cells, 4.77 Gy for T cells, and 6.03 Gy for null cells. B cells, as well as T cells, are stimulated to divide by PHA, and B cells comprise at least 10% of the mitotic figures seen in unirradiated cultures at 48 hours. The proportion of B lymphocytes in mitosis at any particular time after PHA stimulation decreases with increasing radiation dose, which reflects a higher mitotic radiosensitivity of B than of T cells. No significant difference, however, in chromosome aberration frequency was found between T and B cells.     

Radiosensitivity of isolated subsets of human lymphocytes (E+, OKT4+, OKT8+): protective role of monocytes and monokines.

The sensitivity of human peripheral blood T lymphoid populations to 60Co ionizing radiation was investigated. Dose-response values were determined for populations that are commonly identified by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells (E+ cells), helper T lymphocytes (OKT4+ cells) and suppressor T lymphocytes (OKT8+ cells). OKT4+ and OKT8+ T cell subsets were negatively selected by complement (C)-mediated cytolysis using the C fixing OKT4 and OKT8 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). The irradiation-induced damage was assessed by the lymphoblast transformation test, using the polyclonal T cell mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and the OKT3 MoAb. (The OKT3 antibodies are mitogenic for T cells only in the presence of monocytes). No significant differences were evident between dose-response values of E+, OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphoid subpopulations when using PHA as a mitogen. On the other hand, when OKT3 was used to trigger resting irradiated peripheral blood T lymphocytes, e.g. E+ cells, OKT3 stimulated T cells proved to be markedly radioresistant as compared to PHA stimulated cell cultures. This was found to result from the fact that purified T cell cultures were co-cultured with non-irradiated monocytes when OKT3 was employed as a motogen. Similarly co-culturing of irradiated E+, OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells with non-irradiated autologus monocytes partially corrected the irradiation damage, regardless of the mitogen employed. More important, however, was the observation that macrophage derived supernatants containing (interleukin-1) IL-1 could confer a high degree of radioprotection on irradiated E+ cells. It is concluded that monocytes and monocyte products partially protect against irradiation damage.     

Reactive oxygen species-producing site in radiation-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells: involvement of lysosomal membrane destabilization

In our previous studies, we have partly elucidated the mechanism of radiation-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells. The exact site of the ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation induced by irradiation has been so far unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the site of ROS formation by utilizing MitoCapture, H2DCFDA (succinimidyl ester of dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate), DAPI, and Lysosensor. Our results showed that ROS formation apparently originated in the mitochondria and/or lysosomes instead of in the nuclei of irradiated T cells. Moreover, lysosomal swelling and deformity, possibly revealing lysosomal membrane instability, were observed at 1 h after 5 Gy irradiation of T cells. At 4 h after irradiation of 5 Gy, increase of fluorescence around the lysosomes, possibly revealing lysosomal rupture, was seen. Based on the above results, we concluded the possible existence of a new apoptotic cascade involving early lysosomal membrane destabilization in radiation-induced apoptosis of human peripheral T cells. Therefore, possible involvement of lysosomal protease leakage caused by hydroxyl radical formation in lysosomes (possibly resulting in mitochondrial membrane dysfunction) is considered to play an important role in radiation-induced T cell apoptosis.     

Regulation of the immune response by subclasses of T lymphocytes. I. Interactions between pre-killer T cells and regulatory T cells obtained from peripheral lymphoid tissues of mice

The generation of killer cells to alloantigens in vitro depends upon an interaction between two subclasses of peripheral T cells: “pre-killer” T cells and “regulatory” T cells. The pre-killer T cell, found in highest concentrations in peripheral lymph nodes of mice, is sensitive in vivo to the administration of small doses of anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) and is depleted in vitro by treatment with (a) anti-Thy-1.2 + C, (b) low doses (600 r) of x-irradiation. Specificity of pre-killer cells is supported by adsorption of pre-killer activity on appropriate allogeneic monolyers and by the specific absence of this activity from lymphoid tissues of mice rendered tolerant in neonatal life. Although T cells remaining in the spleen 2 days after a small dose of ATS (SP_A?T) did not generate killer cells, this subset exerted substantial regulatory effects upon the generation of killer activity by pre-killer T cells. The addition of this population of regulatory T cells to small numbers of lymph node T cells (LN-T) resulted in substantial enhancement in the generationof killer cells from the LN-T pre-killers. The addition ofSP_A?T to larger numbers of LN-T (which produce strong responses alone), failed to enhance the response, and insome cases resulted in significant suppression which could not easily beaccounted for by alteration in cell numbers in culture. Although amplifier activity was relatively radioresistant, “suppressor” activity was sensitive to relatively small doses of irradiation. The significance of this T-T interaction is discussed.