Hyperthermia induces apoptosis in thymocytes

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Radiation Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3578175· OSTI ID:5768703

Sellins, K S; Cohen, J J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (USA)

Mild hyperthermia (43{degree}C for 1 h) induces extensive double-stranded DNA fragmentation and, at a later time, cell death in murine thymocytes. The cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized fragments resembles that observed in examples of apoptosis including radiation-induced death of thymocytes. Following hyperthermia, incubation at 37{degree}C is necessary to detect DNA fragmentation, although protein and RNA synthesis do not seem to be required. Two protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide and emetine, and two RNA synthesis inhibitors, actinomycin D and 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, do not inhibit DNA fragmentation or cell death in heated thymocytes at concentrations which significantly block these effects in irradiated thymocytes. We have used this difference in sensitivity to show that the DNA fragmentation induced in thymocytes which are irradiated and then heated seems to be caused only by the heating and not by the irradiation.

• OSTI ID: 5768703
• Journal Information: Radiation Research; (USA), Vol. 126:1; ISSN 0033-7587
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
HYPERTHERMIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
THYMOCYTES
SENSITIVITY
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DNA
MICE
RNA
STRAND BREAKS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BODY TEMPERATURE
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
VERTEBRATES
560200* - Thermal Effects
560120 - Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture