Key role of mitochondria in apoptosis of lymphocytes

Changes in the mitochondrial potential, expression of phosphatidylserine, parameters of direct and lateral light scattering, and DNA fragmentation during spontaneous and induced apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied by flow cytofluorometry. Dexamethasone and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 served as inductors of apoptosis. A decrease in the mitochondrial potential is an early sign of spontaneous and induced apoptosis. Phosphatidylserine expression on the outer plasma membrane occurred later and inversely depended on the mitochondrial potential. Our results indicate that the involvement of mitochondria in spontaneous and induced apoptosis accompanied by a decrease in the mitochondrial potential is an early and key event of programmed lymphocyte death. The decrease in the mitochondrial potential of lymphocytes induced degradation of their nuclei (DNA fragmentation) and promoted elimination of apoptotic cells (phosphatidylserine expression).