Induction of Apoptosis in Jurkat T Lymphocytes by Extract of Ailanthus altissima

저근백피(Ailanthus altissima) 물 추출물에 의한 급성림프성백혈병 Jurkat T Lymphocytes의 세포고사 유도

  • Hwang, Sang-Gu (Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Lee, Hyung-Chul (Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Kim, Chun-Kwan (Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Chun, Hyun-Ja (Department of Newly-Developed Drugs, Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Jeung, Seung-Il (Department of Newly-Developed Drugs, Professional Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Jeon, Byung-Hun (Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University)
  • 황상구 (원광대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 이형철 (원광대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 김춘관 (원광대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실) ;
  • 천현자 (원광대학교 한의학전문대학원 신약개발학과) ;
  • 정승일 (원광대학교 한의학전문대학원 신약개발학과) ;
  • 전병훈 (원광대학교 한의과대학 병리학교실)
  • Published : 2001.12.30

Abstract

Ailanthus altissima belonging to the family Simaroubaceae has been used to settle an upset stomach, to combat a fever, and as an insecticide. Apoptosis is an active process, which is a critical feature of the regulated development of multicellular organisms. We investigated whether the extract of A. altissima induced apoptotic cell death in Jurkat T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Upon treatments with the extract, the dose-dependent inhibitions of cell viability were observed. It also caused apoptosis as measured by cell morphology and DNA fragmentation. The capability of the extract to induce apoptosis was associated with proteolytic cleavage of specific target protein such as poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) protein, suggesting the possible involvement of the activations of caspases. Further study showed that Bcl-2 protein levels were not changed in all treated groups compared to control group. These results suggest that A. altissima induces Bcl- 2-independent apoptosis in Jurkat T cells.

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