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Hypertonicity induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells in the presence of intracellular potassium

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Abstract

Cell shrinkage is a hallmark of apoptosis. Potassium efflux, which is involved in cell shrinkage, has been previously described as an essential event of apoptosis. This study was designed to address the importance of potassium efflux in hypertonicity (450 mOsm and 600 mOsm) induced apoptosis. We initiated apoptosis in HL-60 cells in hypertonic medium consisting of either high concentrations of NaCl, mannitol or KCl. Apoptotic activity was evaluated based on the DNA content of the cells, annexin-V staining and calcium content. Apoptosis was initiated in hypertonic conditions consisting of high intracellular K+. We demonstrate that apoptosis can occur in the presence of high intracellular potassium contrary to previous predictions.

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Abbreviations

RVD:

regulatory volume decrease

RVI:

regulatory volume increase

AVD:

apoptotic volume decrease

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Acknowledgments

We thank Joanne Schultz and Foon-Yee Law for their excellent technical assistance. We would also like to thank Dr. Mary Lou Vallano, Dr. Kristen Nubia Kaba, Dr. Roman Eliseev, and Dr. Thomas Gunter for helpful discussions and suggestions. This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants HL-18208, Strong Children's Hospital Summer Research Program and DK-27495.

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Author notes

  1. Arko Ghosh

    Present address: Brain research Institute, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, Zürich, CH-8057, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 06106, USA

    Arko Ghosh

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14622, USA

    Peter C. Keng

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14622, USA

    Philip A. Knauf

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  1. Arko Ghosh
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  2. Peter C. Keng
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  3. Philip A. Knauf
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Correspondence to Arko Ghosh.

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Ghosh, A., Keng, P.C. & Knauf, P.A. Hypertonicity induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells in the presence of intracellular potassium. Apoptosis 12, 1281–1288 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-007-0054-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-007-0054-z

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