兔抗人DR5抗血清诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡

制备兔抗人sDR5抗血清,检测它对Jurkat细胞的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用。采用本室制备的sDR5免疫新西兰白兔,制备兔抗人sDR5抗血清,用ELISA法测定抗sDR5抗血清效价及抗血清的特异性。MTT试验分析它对Jurkat细胞生长抑制影响,倒置光显微镜和荧光显微镜观察抗sDR5抗血清对Jurkat细胞形态的影响,用AnnexinV/PI双染试剂盒检测Jurkat细胞凋亡率,琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测Jurkat细胞中DNA的片断化。结果:获得了高效价特异性兔抗人sDR5抗血清。兔抗人sDR5抗血清对Jurkat细胞具有显著的细胞生长抑制作用,并呈剂量依赖性。兔抗人sDR5抗血清处理后,Jurkat细胞可出现典型的细胞凋亡的形态特征:细胞膜皱缩,出泡,染色质浓缩,形成凋亡小体等。流式细胞术结果显示:兔抗人sDR5血清1/80、1/160作用Jurkat细胞2 h,细胞凋亡率分别为54.98%和34.13%。兔抗人sDR5抗血清可导致Jurkat细胞中的DNA片段化。本室制备的兔抗人sDR5抗血清能抑制Jurkat细胞生长和诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡。     

重组人可溶性TRAIL分子诱导白血病细胞株凋亡的研究

比较重组人可溶性TRAIL(rhsTRAIL)诱导Jurkat细胞株、K562细胞株以及HL-60细胞株凋亡之间的差异,探讨这些差异与细胞表面TRAIL受体(DR4、DR5、DcR1和DcR2)表达量的关系。不同浓度的rhsTRAIL分别处理Jurkat细胞、K562细胞和HL-60细胞12 h、24 h和48 h后,用流式细胞仪检测经碘化丙啶(PI)染色后的细胞凋亡情况;用RT-PCR方法检测细胞表面受体DR4、DR5、DcR1、DcR2的表达。培养12 h、24 h、48 h后,不同浓度rhsTRAIL诱导Jurkat细胞株的凋亡率均明显高于对照组,且具有剂量依赖性和时间依赖性;但K562细胞株和HL-60细胞株未见明显的凋亡发生。RT-PCR结果显示,培养12 h、24 h、48 h后,Jurkat细胞株表面DR4的表达随时间的延长和rhsTRAIL浓度的升高而升高,而DR5、DcR1和DcR2的表达未检出;K562和HL-60细胞株表面DR4的表达没有明显变化,而且DR5、DcR1和DcR2的表达也未检出。rhsTRAIL诱导Jurkat细胞株的凋亡具有剂量依赖性和时间依赖性,且与其细胞表面DR4的表达呈正相关;在一定的浓度条件下,rhsTRAIL未能诱导K 562和HL-60细胞株发生明显凋亡,且其细胞表面DR4的表达也未见明显变化。这些结果提示,应用TRAIL治疗不同种类白血病时,应注意它的使用剂量和适应范围。     

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as an endogenous decoy receptor in tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis of fibroblast-like synovial cells

We examined the role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) on tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS). OPG protein concentrations in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlated with those of interleukin (IL)-1beta or IL-6. A similar correlation was present between IL-1beta and IL-6 concentrations. Rheumatoid FLS in vitro expressed both death domain-containing receptors [death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5] and decoy receptors [decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) and DcR2]. DR4 expression on FLS was weak compared with the expression of DR5, DcR1 and DcR2. Recombinant TRAIL (rTRAIL) rapidly induced apoptosis of FLS. DR5 as well as DR4 were functional with regard to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis induction in FLS; however, DR5 appeared be more efficient than DR4. In addition to soluble DR5 (sDR5) and sDR4, OPG administration significantly inhibited TRAIL-induced apoptogenic activity. OPG was identified in the culture supernatants of FLS, and its concentration increased significantly by the addition of IL-1beta in a time-dependent manner. Neither IL-6 nor tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increased the production of OPG from FLS. TRAIL-induced apoptogenic activity towards FLS was reduced when rTRAIL was added without exchanging the culture media, and this was particularly noticeable in the IL-1beta-stimulated FLS culture; however, the sensitivity of FLS to TRAIL-induced apoptosis itself was not changed by IL-1beta. Interestingly, neutralization of endogenous OPG by adding anti-OPG monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to FLS culture restored TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that OPG is an endogenous decoy receptor for TRAIL-induced apoptosis of FLS. In addition, IL-1beta seems to promote the growth of rheumatoid synovial tissues through stimulation of OPG production, which interferes with TRAIL death signals in a competitive manner.     

The characteristic of an anti-human DR5 antibody A6

The efficacy of many cancer treatments is due to their ability to induce apoptosis. DR5 can activate apoptosis pathway after binding with its natural ligand, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL/ Apo2L）. Both TRAIL and agonistic anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody are currently being explored for cancer therapy. The mechanisms of cytotoxicity of our previously prepared monoclonal antibody A6 against DR5 were investigated here. A6 could cause viability loss of Jurkat cells in both time- and dose-dependent manner which could be attributed to the activation of apoptosis pathway. Caspases 3, 8 and 9 were activated in Jurkat cells and the caspase specific inhibitors, such as broad caspases inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, caspase 8 specific inhibitor Z-IETDFMK and caspase 9 specific inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK could recover the viability loss caused by A6. The function and molecular mechanism of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis were also investigated and compared with those of A6. Although A6 and TRAIL recognize a different epitope, they could induce a similar reaction in Jurkat cells.     

The Effect of N-nitrosodimethylamine on TRAIL and DR5 expression in human neutrophils--preliminary study

The intracellular mechanisms of NDMA-induced apoptosis of neutrophils have not yet been fully understood. The aim of this study was to explain whether the TRAIL/DR5 system is implicated in NDMA-induced apoptosis of human neutrophils. The expression of TRAIL and DR5 was examined, as well as the secretion of sTRAIL and sDR5 by human neutrophils treated with NDMA confronted with intensity apoptosis of these cells. For comparative purposes similar examinations in autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were performed. Decreased expression and secretion of TRAIL and increased expression and secretion of DR5 associated with increased intensity of apoptosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) suggest that NDMA-induced apoptosis in these cells may be depend on TRAIL/DR5 system. Autologous PBMCs no exerted that changes in the expression and secretion of TRAIL as well as in the intensity of apoptosis. However, the expression and secretion of DR5 by PBMCs were similar to those by PMNs. Differences above suggest that PMNs are more sensitive to unfavorable action of NDMA than PBMCs.     

TRAIL及其受体DR5与动脉粥样硬化关系的初步研究

目的探讨肿瘤坏死因子(INF)相关的凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)及其受体DR5与动脉粥样硬化(AS)之间的关系。方法冠心病(CAD)组61例,正常对照组22例。应用酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆可溶性TRAIL(sTRAIL)和可溶性DR5(sDR5)水平。免疫组织化学测定冠状动脉TRAIL和DR5蛋白表达情况。结果CAD组血浆sTRAIL和sDR5水平均显著性升高(P<0.001,P<0.05)。3支血管病变组和双支血管病变组血浆sTRAIL和sDR5水平均分别显著高于单支血管病变组和正常对照组(P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.05)。TRAIL和DR5主要表达于平滑肌细胞的胞质,TRAIL还可表达于AS中的巨噬细胞。AS组冠状动脉的TRAIL和DR5表达明显高于非AS组(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论TRAIL及其受体DR5可能参与了AS的进展,其浓度越高,冠状动脉病变越重。     

抗人DR5单克隆抗体(mDRA-6)诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡活性研究

目的：观察抗肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）的死亡受体5（DR5）单克隆抗体——mDRA-6对Jut-kat细胞的凋亡作用。方法：DR5蛋白免疫BALB／c小鼠，融合筛选抗DR5杂交瘤细胞，制备抗人DR5单抗——mDRA-6；光镜下观察mDRA-6作用下Jurkat细胞形态变化；MTT方法计算mDRA-6不同浓度、不同作用时间对Jurkat细胞凋亡率影响。结果：mDRA-6致Jurkat细胞染色质边集、断裂，细胞出芽，凋亡小体形成；MTT法显示mDRA-6具有明显的Jurkat细胞杀伤作用，0.1μg／ml的mDRA-6即可使Jurkat细胞存活率降至77．2％；25．6μg／ml的mDRA-6作用8小时，可使Jurkat细胞存活率降至28．4％；Annexin v及PI双染显示1μg／ml的mDRA-6作用10小时，Jurkat细胞凋亡率达81．82％。结论：抗DR5单抗——mDRA-6具有高效诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡的活性。     

The Effect of N-Nitrosodimethylamine on TRAIL and DR5 Expression in Human Neutrophils—Preliminary Study

The intracellular mechanisms of NDMA-induced apoptosis of neutrophils have not yet been fully understood. The aim of this study was to explain whether the TRAIL/DR5 system is implicated in NDMA-induced apoptosis of human neutrophils. The expression of TRAIL and DR5 was examined, as well as the secretion of sTRAIL and sDR5 by human neutrophils treated with NDMA confronted with intensity apoptosis of these cells. For comparative purposes similar examinations in autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were performed. Decreased expression and secretion of TRAIL and increased expression and secretion of DR5 associated with increased intensity of apoptosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) suggest that NDMA-induced apoptosis in these cells may be depend on TRAIL/DR5 system. Autologous PBMCs no exerted that changes in the expression and secretion of TRAIL as well as in the intensity of apoptosis. However, the expression and secretion of DR5 by PBMCs were similar to those by PMNs. Differences above suggest that PMNs are more sensitive to unfavorable action of NDMA than PBMCs.     

sDR5封闭TRAIL减少内毒素引起小鼠肝细胞凋亡

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)在内毒素诱导小鼠肝细胞凋亡中的作用.方法 内毒素作用于可溶性死亡受体-5(sDR5)封闭TRAIL的小鼠,不同时间检测小鼠血清中的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和乳酸脱氧酶(LDH)的含量;HE染色及Annexin V、PI双染法流式细胞术检测小鼠肝细胞凋亡;免疫组织化学法及流式细胞术检测小鼠肝细胞和肝细胞膜表面DR5的表达.结果 内毒素可以上调肝细胞DR5的表达.DR5封闭TRAIL可显著抑制内毒素引起的小鼠肝细胞凋亡和改善肝细胞损伤.结论 内毒素引起疾病过程中TRAIL起重要作用.     

交联抗DR5单抗YM366EC诱导的Jurkat细胞凋亡机制探讨

为探讨抗肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)的死亡受体5(DR5)单抗-YM366EC引起Jurkat细胞凋亡信号转导通路,阐明抗DR5抗体的抗肿瘤效应机制。观察了交联366EC对Jurkat细胞的形态变化,细胞增殖和细胞凋亡率影响。进一步用Western blot法检测YM366EC作用于Jurkat细胞不同时间Bcl-2、Cyt-C、Bax、Caspase 3、Caspase 9的表达变化。结果发现DR5抗体YM366EC单独应用无凋亡作用,但抗小鼠IgG交联366EC后可致Jurkat细胞染色质边集、断裂,细胞出芽,形成凋亡小体,并可直接诱导TRAIL敏感的Jurkat细胞凋亡。Western blot检测到随着抗体诱导时间的延长Jurkat细胞Bel-2蛋白表达减少;Cyt-C、Bax、有活性的Caspase 3和Caspase 9蛋白的表达增加。结果表明交联抗DR5抗体YM366EC对Jurkat细胞增殖有明显的抑制作用,诱导的Jurkat细胞凋亡的分子机制涉及到Cyt-C、Bax、Caspase 3、Caspase 9。     

抗人DR5功能性单克隆抗体诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡的线粒体途径的分子机制

目的:探讨抗人死亡受体5(DR5)功能性单克隆抗体(mDRA-6)对Jurkat细胞诱导凋亡的线粒体途径的分子机制。方法:MTT法检测单克隆抗体(mDRA-6)对Jurkat细胞生长抑制作用的剂量-效果及时间-效果关系;JC-1单染流式细胞术定量分析技术对凋亡的Jurkat细胞线粒体膜电位的变化进行分析;免疫印迹技术检测凋亡细胞的Caspase-8、3、9及Bid、Bax、Bcl-2、Cytoc等凋亡相关蛋白的表达情况。结果:mDRA-6对Jurkat细胞抑制具有明显剂量-效果和时间-效果关系;流式细胞仪检测显示,2.0μg/ml浓度的mDRA-6作用15、30、60和120分钟时,Jurkat细胞线粒体膜电位改变率分别为20.14%、19.34%、21.11%、30.90%,呈逐渐增高趋势。免疫印迹技术检测显示,mDRA-6作用后,Jurkat细胞Caspase-8、9及Bid、Bax、Bcl-2、Cytoc等表达活性增加,并且Cytoc在线粒体内为递减而在胞浆呈递增的表达现象。结论:mDRA-6通过激活外源性膜受体,继而启动细胞线粒体途径导致Jurkat细胞凋亡。本研究为mDRA-6对白血病治疗奠定实验基础。     

Apo2L/TRAIL-dependent recruitment of endogenous FADD and caspase-8 to death receptors 4 and 5

Fas (APO-1/CD95) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) trigger apoptosis by recruiting the apoptosis initiator caspase-8 through the adaptor FADD. Fas binds FADD directly, whereas TNFR1 binds FADD indirectly, through TRADD. TRADD alternatively recruits the NF-kappaB-inducing adaptor RIP. The TNF homolog Apo2L/TRAIL triggers apoptosis through two distinct death receptors, DR4 and DR5; however, receptor over-expression studies have yielded conflicting results on the ligand's signaling mechanism. Apo2L/TRAIL induced homomeric and heteromeric complexes of DR4 and DR5 and stimulated recruitment of FADD and caspase-8 and caspase-8 activation in nontransfected cells. TRADD and RIP, which bound TNFR1, did not bind DR4 and DR5. Thus, Apo2L/TRAIL and FasL initiate apoptosis through similar mechanisms, and FADD may be a universal adaptor for death receptors.     

抗DR5单抗增强顺铂诱导HeLa细胞凋亡作用的研究

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL)主要通过死亡受体5(death recep- tor,DR5)诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。本文旨在探讨顺铂对HeLa细胞表面DR5分子表达影响及抗DR5单抗mDRA-6对顺铂诱导HeLa细胞凋亡增强作用。用间接免疫荧光染色结合流式细胞术分析DR5分子表达;MTT法检测HeLa细胞毒作用;用AnnexinV/PI双染试剂盒检测细胞凋亡率;荧光显微镜观察凋亡细胞的形态学改变。结果:正常HeLa细胞表面DR5表达量为30.01%,顺铂不能上调HeLa细胞表面DR5表达;mDRA-6可以明显提高顺铂对HeLa细胞的细胞毒作用,且存在剂量效应关系。IC_(50)值约为12.5μg/ml。研究结果表明,mDRA-6能够明显增强顺铂对HeLa细胞的细胞毒及细胞凋亡作用。     

重组人可溶性TRAIL的制备及其联合硼替佐米诱导肿瘤细胞的凋亡作用

目的:构建重组人肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体(tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand,TRAIL)原核表达质粒p ET-28a(+)-TRAIL114-281,优化蛋白表达和纯化条件,制备重组人可溶性TRAIL并鉴定其活性。方法:使用CCK-8初步验证TRAIL是否具有抑制肿瘤细胞生长的生物活性;将制备的TRAIL单独或联合50 nmol/L硼替佐米应用于H460细胞(对TRAIL敏感)和K562细胞(对TRAIL抵抗)24 h,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,比色法检测caspase-8、-9、-3的活化程度,Western blot分析细胞中Bax、Bcl-2和c FLIP蛋白的表达。流式细胞术检测硼替佐米处理H460细胞和K562细胞24 h后DR4和DR5的表达量变化。结果:制备了具有生物学活性且性质稳定的重组人可溶性TRAIL,且成功诱导H460和K562细胞凋亡。不同浓度TRAIL处理H460细胞后其凋亡率随着TRAIL浓度升高而显著升高(P0.05),但K562细胞凋亡率并未随着TRAIL浓度明显升高。联合用药组的H460和K562细胞凋亡率均显著高于单独用药组(P0.05),凋亡过程中caspase-8、-9、-3均被活化,药物处理组的Bcl-2和c FLIP表达量均比对照组下降,尤其联合用药组表达量下降最为显著(P0.05),而Bax表达量无明显变化。硼替佐米处理H460和K562细胞后DR4和DR5表达量均上调(P0.05)。结论:硼替佐米能协同TRAIL启动内源性凋亡途径诱导H460和K562细胞凋亡,其可能机制是通过上调死亡受体DR4和DR5的表达量、下调抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和c FLIP的表达量来实现的。     

Expression of TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) and its receptors in normal colonic mucosa,adenomas, and carcinomas

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in tumour cell lines. Four membrane-bound receptors for TRAIL have been identified, two apoptosis-mediating receptors, DR4 and DR5, and two apoptosis-inhibiting receptors, DcR1 and DcR2. The aim of this study was to examine the role of TRAIL and its receptors in colorectal cancer development. The immunohistochemical expression and localization of TRAIL and its receptors were investigated in normal mucosa (n=10), adenomas (n=19), and carcinomas (n=21). Correlations between the expression of TRAIL and its receptors and the degree of apoptosis (assessed by M30 expression) and histopathological characteristics were explored. TRAIL and its receptors were expressed in normal mucosal epithelium. Expression of the receptors was seen in adenomas and carcinomas. TRAIL expression was lost in a subset of colorectal tumours, more frequently in carcinomas than in adenomas (p<0.05). DR4 and DR5 staining was stronger in neoplastic cells than in normal cells and was accompanied by a higher degree of apoptosis. No differences were found between tumour and normal cells regarding DcR1 and DcR2 expression. No correlations were found between TRAIL or TRAIL receptor expression and histopathological characteristics. In conclusion, marked changes were seen in the course of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence with respect to the expression of TRAIL and TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5. The stronger expression of DR4 and DR5 in neoplastic cells than in normal cells, together with a higher degree of apoptosis, suggests a possible functional role for these receptors in apoptosis induction in neoplastic colorectal cells.     

抗人DR5抗体mDRA- 6细胞毒作用机制分析

目的:探讨鼠抗人DR5单克隆抗体(mAb)mDRA-6对Jurkat细胞的细胞毒作用及其机制。方法:以流式细胞术测定mAbmDRA-6对Jurkat细胞的细胞毒作用和细胞凋亡作用,以及caspase8、9的抑制剂对mAbmDRA-6诱导的Jurkat细胞凋亡的影响。在荧光显微镜下,观察mAbmDRA-6对Jurkat细胞形态的影响。以琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测Jurkat细胞中的DNA片段化。结果:mAbmDRA-6对Jurkat细胞具有显著的细胞毒作用,并呈剂量和时间依赖性。经mAbmDRA-6处理后,Jurkat细胞可出现典型的细胞凋亡的形态特征:细胞膜皱缩,出泡,染色质浓缩,形成凋亡小体等。经mAbmDRA-6处理后,Jurkat细胞膜表面高表达丝氨酸磷脂,并可导致Jurkat细胞中的DNA片段化。caspase8的抑制剂可明显抑制mAbmDRA-6诱导的Jurkat细胞凋亡,caspase9的抑制剂的影响很小。结论:mAbmDRA-6可通过死亡受体信号传导途径诱导Jurakt细胞凋亡,对Jurkat细胞产生细胞毒作用,其在以TRAIL/DR5系统进行的肿瘤治疗和探讨DR5功能结构域方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

抗DR5单克隆抗体-mDRA-6对白血病细胞的凋亡诱导作用

目的:观察抗死亡受体5(DR5)单克隆抗体(mAb)-mDRA-6对白血病细胞的凋亡作用。方法:DR5蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,融合筛选抗DR5杂交瘤细胞,制备抗人DR5mAb-mDRA-6;荧光显微镜下观察mDRA-6作用下白血病细胞Jurkat、HL-60、K562的形态变化;MTT法测定不同浓度的mDRA-6对Jurkat、HL-60、K562细胞存活率的影响;通过FITC-Annexin V及PI标记细胞,以流式细胞术检测mDRA-6对Jurkat、HL-60、K562细胞凋亡率的影响。结果:mDRA-6导致Jurkat、HL-60细胞染色质浓缩、断裂,细胞出芽,凋亡小体形成;mDRA-6对Jurkat、HL-60细胞具有明显的杀伤作用,但对K562的杀伤作用较弱,25mg/L的mDRA-6作用12h,Jurkat、HL-60、K562细胞死亡率分别为88.76%,59.76%,5.18%。Annexin V及PI双染显示1mg/L的mDRA-6作用10h,Jurkat细胞凋亡率为86.06%,10mg/L的mDRA-6作用10h,HL-60细胞凋亡率为48.11%,但10mg/L的mDRA-6作用K562细胞10h,细胞凋亡不明显。结论:抗DR5mAb mDRA-6能够诱导白血病细胞凋亡,不同的白血病细胞株对mDRA-6的敏感性不同。     

TRAIL triggers apoptosis in human malignant glioma cells through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways

Many malignant glioma cells express death receptors for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), yet some of these cells are resistant to TRAIL. Here, we examined signaling events in TRAIL-induced apoptosis and searched for therapeutic agents that could overcome TRAIL resistance in glioma cells. TRAIL induced apoptosis through death receptor 5 (DR5) and was mediated by caspase-8-initiated extrinsic and intrinsic mitochondrial pathways in sensitive glioma cell lines. TRAIL also triggered apoptosis in resistant glioma cell lines through the same pathways, but only if the cells were pretreated with chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin, camptothecin and etoposide. Previous studies suggested that this was due to an increase in DR5 expression in wild-type TP53 cells, but this mechanism did not account for cells with mutant TP53. Here, we show that a more general effect of these agents is to downregulate caspase-8 inhibitor c-FLIP(S) (the short form of cellular Fas-associated death domain-fike interleukin-1-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein) and up-regulate Bak, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, independently of cell's TP53 status. Furthermore, we showed that TRAIL alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, induced apoptosis in primary tumor cultures from patients with malignant gliomas, reinforcing the potential of TRAIL as an effective therapeutic agent for malignant gliomas.     

Application of flow cytometry to molecular medicine: detection of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors in acute myeloid leukaemia blasts

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), a cytokine belonging to the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) family, is currently regarded as a potential anti-cancer agent. Nevertheless, several types of cancer cells display a low sensitivity to TRAIL or are completely resistant to this pro-apoptotic cytokine. TRAIL signalling is dependent on four receptors. Two of them, death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and DR5), induce apoptosis, whereas decoy receptors 1 and 2 (DcR1 and DcR2) are unable to evoke cell death upon TRAIL binding. TRAIL resistance may be related to the expression of TRAIL decoy receptors. TRAIL has been proposed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of haematological disorders, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Surprisingly, however, very limited information is available concerning the expression of TRAIL receptors in AML blasts. Here, we have evaluated, using flow cytometry, TRAIL receptor surface expression and sensitivity to TRAIL-dependent apoptosis of AML blasts from 30 patients. We observed frequent expression of TRAIL DcR1 and DcR2, while expression of DR4 and DR5 was less frequent. Nevertheless, the expression of DR4 or DR5 in leukaemic cells was always matched by a similar expression of one of the decoy receptors. Leukaemic blasts were invariably resistant, even to a high concentration (1000 ng/ml) of TRAIL. We suggest that AML blasts are resistant to TRAIL apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, it is unlikely that TRAIL alone might be used in the future as an innovative pharmacological agent for the treatment of AML.