[Apoptosis of leukemic lymphocytes mediated by purinergic P2z receptors].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of purinergic P2z receptors for apoptosis of human leukemic lymphocytes induced by extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). METHODS: A total of 11 B-CLL patients were studied with regard to exposure of leukemic lymphocytes with (n = 8) or without (n = 3) P2z receptors to ATP, benzoylbenzoic-ATP (BzATP), 2-methylthio-ATP (2MeSATP), adenosine-5'-[gamma-thio] triphosphate (ATP-gamma S), and other nucleosides for 8 h in vitro. Apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy (EM), agarose gel electrophoresis, and quantitative assay-TdT assay. RESULTS: Apoptosis was detected only in leukemic lymphocytes with P2z receptors. Using a quantitative assay, we found th..