Anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2 overexpression in RIN cells infected with Semliki Forest virus

Authors: Lundstrom K.¹; Pralong W.²; Martinou J-C.¹

Source: Apoptosis, Volume 2, Number 2, 1997 , pp. 189-191(3)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

RIN cells were infected with recombinant Semliki Forest virus (SFV) particles containing the LacZ gene. X-gal staining showed 100% infectivity of the cell cultures and high-level expression of bacterial beta

-galactosidase in these cells. The cytopathogenic effects of the SFV infection were studied by measuring the viability of the RIN cells. Comparisons between control RIN cells and Bcl-2 overexpressing RIN cells were done 72 h post-infection. Significant differences in viability levels were observed. The control RIN cells showed in the MTT assay a mean value of 0.156±0.017 compared to 0.347±0.057 for the RIN/Bcl-2 cells. FACS analysis of cells labelled with propidium iodide indicated that only an average of 4.5±0.5% of the control cells were viable 72 h post-infection, while 44.5±3.5% of the RIN/Bcl-2 cells were still alive. Thus, the Bcl-2 overexpression clearly protected the SFV-infected cells from undergoing apoptosis.

Keywords: Anti-apoptosis; Bcl-2 expression; SFV infection

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Glaxo Wellcome Research and Development, Geneva Biomedical Research Institute Plan-les-Ouates Switzerland 2: Modex Therapeuriques SA Lausanne Switzerland

Publication date: 1997-01-01