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PubMed1998

Quiescence versus apoptosis: Myc abundance determines pathway of exit from the cell cycle.

When exposed to diverse growth conditions in vitro, cells can respond by entering states of proliferation, quiescence, differentiation or apoptosis. While the choices among these states can be influenced by proto-oncogene expression, how these disparate outcomes are achieved remains poorly understood. To address these issues, we have generated rodent fibroblast cell lines that harbor a human c-myc gene under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter. When Myc-induced cells are deprived of serum growth factors, they rapidly become apoptotic with the onset of apoptosis preceded by a large, transient increase in cdk2 kinase activity that is associated with the induction of cdc25A phosphatase and the later accumulation of p27Kip1 kinase inhibitor. Surprisingly, serum starvation in the absence of myc overexpression, (which leads to quiescence instead of apoptosis) also causes a marked transient elevation in cdk2 kinase activity, an induction of cdc25A and a delayed increase in p27Kip1. Transient elevations in cdk2 kinase activity and cdc25A abundance are required for cell cycle progression, but it is evident that these changes also precede entry to either apoptosis or quiescence in serum-starved cells. These findings suggest that the pathways to both quiescence and apoptosis share regulatory machinery with cell cycle control mechanisms. In addition, the abundance of Myc protein can be critical in the choices among these cellular states.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1980

Calcium-induced quiescence in reactivated sea urchin sperm.

Sperm flagella of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla beat with asymmetrical bending waves after demembranation with Triton X-100 in the presence of EGTA and reactivation at pH 8.1 with 1 mM ATP in the presence of 2 mM MgSO4. Addition of 0.1--0.2 mM free Ca2+ to these reactivated sperm induces 70--95% of them to become quiescent. This quiescence can be reversed by reduction of the free Ca2% concentration with EGTA, or by dilution to reduce the MgATP2- concentration below 0.3 mM. The quiescent waveform is characterized by a sharp principal bend of approximately 5.6 rad in the proximal region of the flagellum, a slight reverse bend in the midregion that averages approximately 0.3 rad, and a principal bend of approximately 1.1 rad in the tip. The quiescent sperm are highly fragile mechanically, and disruption, including microtubule sliding, occurs spontaneously at a slow rate upon standing or immediately upon gentle agitation. Mild digestion by trypsin causes a gradual appearance of normal, symmetrical flagellar beating. Addition of increasing concentrations of vanadate to quiescent sperm causes a graded decrease in the proximal bend angle, with 50 micrometers vanadate reducing it to approximately 2.6 rad. In the presence of 0.1 mM free Ca2% and 10 micrometers vanadate, a characteristic, crescented stationary bend is induced in the demembranated sperm, without intermediate oscillatory beating, by the addition of either 0.1 or 1 mM ATP. In the absence of vanadate, these two concentrations of ATP produce asymmetric beating and quiescence, respectively. The results support the hypothesis that quiescence in live sperm is induced by an elevated concentration of intracellular Ca2%. In addition, they demonstrate that bending can occur in flagella in which oscillatory beating is inhibited and emphasize the close relationship between asymmetric beating and quiescence.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Dynamic interactions determine partial thalamic quiescence in a computer network model of spike-and-wave seizures.

In vivo intracellular recording from cat thalamus and cortex was performed during spontaneous spike-wave seizures characterized by synchronously firing cortical neurons correlated with the electroencephalogram. During these seizures, thalamic reticular (RE) neurons discharged with long spike bursts riding on a depolarization, whereas thalamocortical (TC) neurons were either entrained into the seizures (40%) or were quiescent (60%). During quiescence, TC neurons showed phasic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) that coincided with paroxysmal depolarizing shifts in the simultaneously recorded cortical neuron. Computer simulations of a reciprocally connected TC-RE pair showed two major modes of TC-RE interaction. In one mode, a mutual oscillation involved direct TC neuron excitation of the RE neuron leading to a burst that fed back an IPSP into the TC neuron, producing a low-threshold spike. In the other, quiescent mode, the TC neuron was subject to stronger coalescing IPSPs. Simulated cortical stimulation could trigger a transition between the two modes. This transition could go in either direction and was dependent on the precise timing of the input. The transition did not always follow the stimulation immediately. A larger, multicolumnar simulation was set up to assess the role of the TC-RE pair in the context of extensive divergence and convergence. The amount of TC neuron spiking generally correlated with the strength of total inhibitory input, but large variations in the amount of spiking could be seen. Evidence for mutual oscillation could be demonstrated by comparing TC neuron firing with that in reciprocally connected RE neurons. An additional mechanism for TC neuron quiescence was assessed with the use of a cooperative model of gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B))-mediated responses. With this model, RE neurons receiving repeated strong excitatory input produced TC neuron quiescence due to burst-duration-associated augmentation of GABA(B) current. We predict the existence of spatial inhomogeneity in apparently generalized spike-wave seizures, involving a center-surround pattern. In the center, intense cortical and RE neuron activity would be associated with TC neuron quiescence. In the surround, less intense hyperpolarization of TC neurons would allow low-threshold spikes to occur. This surround, an "epileptic penumbra," would be the forefront of the expanding epileptic wave during the process of initial seizure generalization. Therapeutically, we would then predict that agents that reduce TC neuron activity would have a greater effect on seizure onset than on ongoing spike-wave seizures or other thalamic oscillations.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1997

Distinct nuclear assembly pathways for lamins A and C lead to their increase during quiescence in Swiss 3T3 cells.

The expression of A-type lamins coincides with cell differentiation and as A-type lamins specifically interact with chromatin, a role in the regulation of differential gene expression has been suggested for A-type lamins. Using the mouse Swiss 3T3 cell line as a model, the change in two A-type lamins, lamins A and C, during cellular quiescence has been investigated. This well established model system mimics the first stages of differentiation when cells exit the cell cycle. In fact, quiescence in Swiss 3T3 cells was accompanied by a significant increase (2.6-fold) in lamin A protein levels and a smaller but reproducible increase (1.4-fold) in lamin C. These effects were fully reversible upon restimulation of the cells with serum. No effect upon lamin B levels was observed. Conversely, levels of A-type lamin mRNA decreased markedly as a result of quiescence suggesting transcriptional mechanisms are involved in the change in levels of lamins A and C. No difference in the incorporation of microinjected human lamin A into nuclei of quiescent or proliferating cells was observed. These data suggest A-type lamin binding sites were not limiting and indicated little difference between A-type lamin assembly mechanisms in quiescent and proliferating cells. The data did demonstrate lamin A and lamin C incorporation into the nuclear lamina proceeded by different pathways when microinjected in Swiss 3T3 cells. The incorporation of recombinant lamin C into the nuclear lamina was delayed compared to lamin A and proceeded via intranuclear foci. Such foci were not seen with microinjected lamin A. Instead, recombinant lamin A was rapidly (<20 minutes) incorporated into the nuclear lamina. Comicroinjection of lamin A with lamin C did not prevent foci formation but assisted in the rapid clearing (t1/2=30 minutes) of these structures and the incorporation of both lamins A and C into the lamina. These data suggest that the incorporation of lamin C into the lamina is facilitated by lamin A. They demonstrate a distinct difference in the nuclear assembly pathways of lamins A and C and show for the first time a functional distinction for these two splice variants of the A-type lamin gene. From the differences in assembly pathways and changes in protein levels accompanying quiescence in 3T3 cells, we suggest distinct roles for lamin A and lamin C in proliferating and quiescent states of the cell cycle.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1989

Effect of exogenous prolactin and bromocriptine on seasonal reproductive quiescence in the Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus).

Two experiments were performed to investigate whether prolactin blocks the reactivation of the corpus luteum during seasonal reproductive quiescence in the Bennett's wallaby. In the first experiment three groups of non-lactating females (groups A C) were subjected in mid-April to photoperiods corresponding to those of the summer solstice from day 0 to day 13 of the experiment. Between days 14 and 52, photoperiods were reduced to correspond to those of the winter solstice (groups B and C). Animals in group A were maintained on the long photoperiods. Two milligrams ovine prolactin (groups A and C) or vehicle (group B) were administered on the mornings of days 14-22. In group A, no animal showed evidence of an active corpus luteum based on increased plasma progesterone levels. All animals in groups B and C exhibited reactivation of the corpus luteum. In group C, reactivation was significantly (P less than 0.01) delayed by a mean of 6.3 days. In the second experiment, two groups of nonlactating female wallabies in 'seasonal quiescence' were injected daily for 7 days with either 60 mg of the dopamine agonist bromocriptine or vehicle. The corpora lutea did not reactivate in either group. We conclude that exogenous prolactin is able to block the effect of short photoperiods in reactivating the quiescent corpus luteum during seasonal quiescence. However, the absence of an effect of bromocriptine suggests that if prolactin is the endogenous hormone responsible for maintaining seasonal quiescence it may not be under dopaminergic control at this time of year.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Quiescence-dependent activation of the p20K promoter in growth-arrested chicken embryo fibroblasts.

We described the synthesis of a quiescence-specific p20K protein in quiescent chicken heart mesenchymal cells and contact-inhibited chicken embryo fibroblasts (Bédard, P.-A., Balk, S.D., Gunther, H.S., Morisi, A., and Erikson, R.L. (1987a) Mol. Cell. Biol. 7, 1450-1459). We now report that the expression of p20K is enhanced in cells rendered quiescent by other conditions of growth arrest such as serum starvation or treatment with hydroxyurea. Chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by the Rous sarcoma virus also expressed p20K upon serum/medium depletion. In all conditions investigated, the synthesis of p20K was correlated with decreased DNA synthesis, indicating that growth arrest regulates the expression of p20K in fibroblasts. The abundance of p20K mRNAs was elevated in quiescent cells, and the p20K gene was more active in nuclear run-on transcription assays in conditions of growth arrest. The p20K gene was isolated, and the promoter region was analyzed in transient expression assays. Serum starvation increased the activity of the promoter, indicating that the expression of p20K is controlled at least in part at the transcriptional level. Deletion analysis revealed that a region of less than 217 base pairs (bp) is sufficient for quiescence-dependent activity of the promoter. Within this region, a segment of 48 bp was essential to basal and quiescence-induced activity of the promoter in dividing and nondividing cells, respectively. The 48-bp region enhanced the activity of a minimal heterologous promoter in quiescent cells but had no effect in conditions of proliferation, indicating that it functions as a quiescence-responsive unit (QRU). Therefore, the transcription of the p20K gene in quiescent fibroblasts is controlled by the one or several growth-regulated elements located in the 48-bp QRU of the promoter.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Flagellar quiescence and transience of inactivation induced by rapid pH drop.

The effects of rapid pH drop on the flagellar movement of reactivated sea urchin sperm were studied by video microscopy and by a newly developed pH jump method. Triton-demembranated sperm were reactivated in a thin layer of the reactivation medium containing ATP and potassium acetate and supported by a ring-shaped Millipore filter stuck to the lower surface of a supported coverslip. The pH of the medium was lowered rapidly by dissolving acetic acid vapor abruptly introduced into a gap between the cover and slide. Flagellar beating ceased immediately when the pH of the reactivation medium was lowered. At least two types of cessation were distinguished: 1) "instantaneous" cessation in a bent form closely resembling those characteristic of steady-state beating before pH drop (waveform freeze), and 2) flagellar quiescence in a cane-shaped form resembling those characteristic of Ca-induced quiescence (cane-shaped quiescence). The flagellum again began beating if the pH was raised to normal but eventually was disintegrated by tubule sliding if the pH was left lowered. Field-by-field analysis of the transient movement of flagella becoming quiescent upon pH drop demonstrated that the proximal bend of the cane-shaped form corresponded to the principal bend of the steady-state beating in some flagella, but in others, to the reverse bend. These observations indicate that low pHs affect flagellar beating by interfering with sliding-bending conversion by a mechanism different from that previously reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of human ornithine decarboxylase expression following prolonged quiescence: role for the c-Myc/Max protein complex.

WI-38 cells can remain quiescent for long periods of time and still be induced to reenter the cell cycle by the addition of fresh serum. However, the longer these cells remain growth arrested, the more time they require to enter S phase. This prolongation of the prereplicative phase has been localized to a point early in G1, after the induction of "immediate early" G1 genes such as c-fos and c-jun but before maximal expression of "early" G1 genes such as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Understanding the molecular basis for ODC mRNA induction can therefore provide information about the molecular events which regulate the progression of cells out of long-term quiescence into G1 and subsequently into DNA synthesis. Studies utilizing electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) of nuclear extracts from short- and long-term quiescent WI-38 cells identified a region of the human ODC promoter at -491 bp to -474 bp which exhibited a protein binding pattern that correlated with the temporal pattern of ODC mRNA expression. The presence of a CACGTG element within this fragment, studies with antibodies against c-Myc and Max, the use of purified recombinant c-Myc protein in the mobility shift assay, and antisense studies suggest that these proteins can specifically bind this portion of the human ODC promoter in a manner consistent with growth-associated modulation of the expression of ODC and other early G1 genes following prolonged quiescence. These studies suggest a role for the c-Myc/Max protein complex in regulating events involved in the progression of cells out of long-term quiescence into G1 and subsequently into S.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Proliferative quiescence of normal mast cells resembles that of cold-sensitive mutant mastocytoma cells. Dominant expression of the quiescent state in heterokaryons.

Normal murine peritoneal mast cells were fused to serum-deprived, non-proliferating cells of a cultured subline (41-SB-4) of the P-815 murine mastocytoma. Upon reincubation in medium containing 10% horse serum for 48 h, mono- and binuclear 41-SB-4 cells reentered S phase of the cell cycle, while mast cell X 41-SB-4 heterokaryons as well as mono- and binuclear mast cells remained in proliferative quiescence, indicating dominant expression of the quiescent state of mast cells. The quiescent state of normal mast cells thus resembles that of cold-sensitive (cs) mutant cells (21-F) of the undifferentiated P-815 mastocytoma: at the non-permissive temperature of 33 degrees C, the 21-F cells were found to enter a state of quiescence which is characterized by its dominant expression in heterokaryons and by morphological differentiation with the formation of metachromatically staining granules similar to those of mast cells. This suggests that the cellular control mechanisms involved in entry into proliferative quiescence and in morphological differentiation of cs 21-F cells may be analogous to those of normal mast cells and/or their precursors.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The transcription factor MEF/ELF4 regulates the quiescence of primitive hematopoietic cells.

The transcriptional circuitry that regulates the quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells is largely unknown. We report that the transcription factor known as MEF (or ELF4), which is targeted by the t(X;21)(q26;q22) in acute myelogenous leukemia, regulates the proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells at steady state, controlling their quiescence. Mef null HSCs display increased residence in G0 with reduced 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in vivo and impaired cytokine-driven proliferation in vitro. Due to their increased HSC quiescence, Mef null mice are relatively resistant to the myelosuppressive effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Thus, MEF plays an important role in the decision of stem/primitive progenitor cells to divide or remain quiescent by regulating their entry to the cell cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells and maintenance of the stem cell pool is not dependent on TGF-beta signaling in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Maintained quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is of critical importance to prevent premature exhaustion of the stem cell pool under conditions of hematopoietic stress. The growth inhibitory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to play a critical role in maintaining quiescence of HSCs in vitro. Here, we have used conditional knockout mice for the TGF-beta type I receptor (TbetaRI) to ask whether the naturally quiescent state of HSCs in vivo is dependent on TGF-beta signaling and thus whether TGF-beta serves as a protective factor for the stem cell pool during conditions of stress. METHODS: TbetaRI null and control bone marrow chimeras were subjected to repeated treatments with the cell cycle-specific cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and surviving HSCs were assayed by competitive transplantation experiments. Exhaustion of stem cells was provoked by serially transplanting TGF-beta signaling-deficient as well as normal BM cells into lethally irradiated recipients, which were monitored for survival. RESULTS: Surprisingly, we found that TGF-beta receptor-deficient HSCs have similar susceptibility, compared to controls, to repeated 5-FU treatments, indicative of normally maintained quiescence in these cells. Likewise, hematopoietic failure occurred at similar stages in serially transplanted recipients of TbetaRI null and control BM, respectively, demonstrating normal consumption of the stem cell pool during hematopoietic stress. CONCLUSIONS: These findings clearly demonstrate that, despite a key role in vitro, TGF-beta does not provide the necessary signal that induces the quiescent state of HSCs and maintains the stem cell pool in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The protein kinase C pathway is required for viability in quiescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Protein kinase C, encoded by PKC1, regulates construction of the cell surface in vegetatively growing yeast cells. Pkc1 in part acts by regulating Mpk1, a MAP kinase. Mutants lacking Bck1, a component of the MAP kinase branch of the pathway, fail to respond normally to nitrogen starvation, which causes entry into quiescence. Given that the Tor1 and Tor2 proteins are key inhibitors of entry into quiescence, the Pkc1 pathway may regulate these proteins. We find that pkc1Delta and mpk1Delta mutants rapidly die by cell lysis upon carbon or nitrogen starvation. The Pkc1 pathway does not regulate the TOR proteins: transcriptional changes dependent on inhibition of the TORs occur normally in pkc1Delta and mpk1Delta mutants when starved for nitrogen; pkc1Delta and mpk1Delta mutants die rapidly upon treatment with rapamycin, an inhibitor of the TORs. We find that Mpk1 is transiently activated by rapamycin treatment via a novel mechanism. Finally, we find that rapamycin treatment or nitrogen starvation induces resistance to the cell wall-digesting enzyme zymolyase by a Pkc1-dependent mechanism. Thus, the Pkc1 pathway is not a nutrient sensor but acts downstream of TOR inhibition to maintain cell integrity in quiescence.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗
PubMed2003

Regulation of quiescence in lymphocytes.

Cellular quiescence is a state characterized by decreased cell size and metabolic activity. In quiescent nai;ve lymphocytes, antigen recognition with appropriate co-stimulation triggers exit from G0 phase of the cell cycle, increased size and metabolism and progression through the cell cycle. Recent studies have shown that quiescence in lymphocytes is an actively maintained state rather than a default pathway in the absence of signal. Certain transcription factors appear to act as master regulators of gene expression patterns that enforce the quiescent phenotype. Here, we discuss candidate lymphocyte quiescence factors and their potential target genes and mechanisms of action.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Cell cycle start from quiescence controlled by tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdk4.

In mammals Cdk4 (or Cdk6 in some cell types) is required for starting the cell cycle. Recently we showed that Cdk4 is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, and that this regulation is required for a DNA damage-induced G1 arrest. We report here that a generic anti-phosphotyrosine antibody can detect tyrosine-phosphorylated Cdk4 and that as revealed by immunoblot detection and kinase assay, this regulation is employed for DNA damage-responsive checkpoint control during cell cycle start from quiescence. In rat fibroblasts traversing G1 or arrested in G1 by deprivation of anchorage, Cdk4 does not undergo tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine phosphorylation occurs only during cell's arrest in quiescence and dephosphorylation during their cell cycle start. Ultraviolet irradiation blocks dephosphorylation and concomitant activation of Cdk4, thereby preventing the start of cell cycling. Thus, unlike tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2, which controls phase transition in the regular cell cycle, tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdk4 is employed for controlling cell cycle start from quiescence in a rat fibroblast.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of a novel quiescence responsive element downregulated by v-Src in the promoter of the neuroretina specific QR1 gene.

The neuroretina is a functional unit of the central nervous system which arises through successive steps of division, growth arrest and differentiation of neuroectodermal precursors. Postmitotic quail neuroretina (QNR) cells are conditionally induced to divide upon infection with temperature sensitive mutants of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), since QNR cell division can be arrested by either inactivating p60v-Src at the nonpermissive temperature (41 degrees C) or by serum deprivation at 37 degrees C. We are studying the transcriptional control of QR1, a neuroretina specific gene, whose expression is down-regulated in proliferating cells at 37 degrees C and is fully restored when these cells are made quiescent. We previously showed that this quiescence specific upregulation implicates a promoter region named A box, which binds Maf transcription factors. We report the identification of the C box, a second promoter sequence that activates QR1 transcription in non dividing cells. This sequence is able to form two DNA-protein complexes, one of which (C4) is predominantly detected in growth arrested NR cells. We identified the DNA binding site for C4 and described mutations that abolish both C4 binding and promoter activity in quiescent cells. Moreover, we show that a multimerized C box is able to stimulate a heterologous promoter in non dividing cells and constitutes, therefore, a novel quiescence responsive enhancer. Finally, we report that QR1 transcriptional response to cell quiescence requires cooperation between the C box and A box.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Quiescence, cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis of smooth muscle cells using different growth inhibitors.

Smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells play an important role in cardiovascular diseases and may therefore be a potential target for gene therapy. Most in vitro experiments are performed using proliferating cell cultures. Nevertheless, non-dividing cells would represent more realistic in vivo conditions for gene therapy. Therefore, a simple method to achieve physiologically quiescence in cell cultures is needed for experiments. Growth to confluence is sufficient for endothelial cells to reach quiescence, in contrast to smooth muscle cells. Alternative techniques were investigated to achieve quiescence for smooth muscle cells. N-acetyl-cysteine, heparin, aphidicolin and serum-free medium are known inhibitors of smooth muscle cell proliferation and were tested for cell viability, necrosis and apoptosis. The inhibition status was evaluated counting cells in a cell counter. Toxicity, necrosis and apoptosis were determined using FACS analysis. Then, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were transfected with plasmid containing the beta-galactosidase gene using liposomes. Analysis of gene expression in transfected cells included a quantitative beta-galactosidase assay and X-gal staining. Growth inhibition was achieved with all agents tested. Using N-acetyl-cysteine, only slightly reduced growth rates were observed. Aphidicolin stopped cell growth almost immediately, but demonstrated enhanced toxicity. The amount of apoptotic and necrotic cells was lowest using heparin in the presence of foetal calf serum. Transfection experiments using stationary cultures of smooth muscle cells using heparin or aphidicolin demonstrated 5-10-fold lower transfection rates compared to transfected proliferating cell cultures serving as controls. Transfection experiments using stationary cultures of endothelial cells using growth inhibition through confluence demonstrated 40-fold lower transfection rates than transfected proliferating cell cultures. Transfer efficiency was much lower in endothelial cells compared to smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, quiescent cells simulate more realistically the in vivo situation and may therefore represent a better model for future in vivo experiments based on in vitro findings.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Reduced susceptibility to apoptosis correlates with kinetic quiescence in disease progression of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The role of apoptosis and cell kinetics in the mechanisms of disease progression of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the susceptibility of leukaemic cells taken from 75 CLL patients with either stable (STD) or progressive disease (PRD) to enter apoptosis. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between cell cycle status and autologous serum (AS). The susceptibility to enter apoptosis was significantly greater in STD than in PRD, both in standard medium (mean = 23.62% +/- 14.7 versus 14.23% +/- 7.2; P = 0.02) and in the presence of AS (mean = 23.03% +/- 17.9 versus 11.27% +/- 7.6; P = 0.01). Furthermore, cell kinetics studies revealed a higher quiescence in PRD than in STD cases, both in terms of a lower RNA content (P = 0.04) and of higher expression of the negative cell cycle regulator p27kip1 (P = 0.03). These kinetic differences were confirmed by short-term in vitro culture both in fetal calf serum and in AS. The results of this study indicate that CLL cells from PRD cases are characterized by a higher degree quiescence and much lower susceptibility to apoptosis when compared with STD ones. In this context, AS does not appear to play a specific role. The association between these kinetic characteristics and disease progression in CLL prompts further studies to establish whether higher quiescence may be responsible for the decreased susceptibility of PRD cells to enter apoptosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cdk-inhibitors and exit from quiescence in primitive haematopoietic cell subsets.

Prolonged quiescence of haematopoietic stem cells has been proposed to support durable haematopoiesis through clonal succession. Genetic experiments in mice have implicated the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (cdki) p21Waf1 in sustaining stem cell quiescence, and the cdki p27Kip1 in inhibiting the expansion of more mature progenitor cells. The expression of these inhibitory proteins in human haematopoietic stem cell candidates has not hitherto been studied. We describe a rare subpopulation (3 x 10-7 umbilical cord mononuclear cells) of lineage-negative cells that exhibited sustained resistance over months to cytokine-induced cycling, and characterized the expression of p21Waf1 and p27Kip1 proteins in these cells. Whereas p27Kip1 was uniformly expressed in these cells, the expression of p21Waf1 in this population and in lineage-negative CD34+ cells was variable. For this rare subset of cells exhibiting prolonged quiescence, p21Waf1 may be dispensable and p27Kip1 necessary for growth arrest.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗