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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: October 5, 2012
Bcl-2 family gene modulation during spontaneous apoptosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Laura Sanz1, José A Garcia-Marco, Benito Casanova
1Departamento de Inmunología, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Malignant cell accumulation in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is primarily caused by defective apoptosis rather than increased proliferation. To further understand the role of Bcl-2 family members, known regulators of apoptosis, in the abnormal B-CLL survival, we have measured their mRNA levels in fresh B-CLL cells and in cultures undergoing spontaneous apoptosis. Using RNA protection assays we found constitutive expression of most bcl-2 members with high levels of bcl2, bcl-w, bad, bak, bax, and the bcl-2/bax ratio, compared to normal PBL. Spontaneous apoptosis of B-CLL cells by in vitro culture resulted in decreased bcl-2, bcl-w, bfl-1, mcl-1, bak, bax, and bcl-2/bax expression. The pro-apoptotic member bik was only expressed in 5/19 cases and was not modulated during apoptosis, suggesting that bik is not involved in this process. Thus, several Bcl-2 family genes are regulated during B-CLL spontaneous apoptosis and their relative levels may contribute to in vivo progression of the disease.
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