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Finger-stick Blood Sampling Methodology for the Determination of Exercise-induced Lymphocyte Apoptosis
Published on: February 24, 2011
Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|December 19, 2000
Summary
Glucocorticoids induce lymphocyte apoptosis via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). This review explores GR's role in regulating genes essential for programmed cell death.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are known to affect lymphocytes, but the precise mechanism of apoptosis induction remains unclear.
- Evidence suggests DNA binding of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and gene regulation are crucial for this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor.
- To discuss the structure, function, and role of GR in initiating programmed cell death.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function.
- Analysis of recent data on gene regulation in glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding to DNA and subsequent transcriptional changes are necessary for lymphocyte apoptosis.
- The specific genes activated or repressed by GR that mediate apoptosis are still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays a central role in mediating glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific target genes responsible for this apoptotic process.
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