[The cellular apoptosis of murine BW5147 thymoma during cold shock]

The mode of T-lymphoma cell death induced by cold shock was studied. The rewarming of cells at 37 degrees C following a brief period of cold (0 degrees C) resulted in internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The cells underwent cold shock-mediated apoptosis only at a reduced (2%) serum concentration. The apoptosis was not blocked by macromolecular synthesis inhibitors such as cycloheximide and antinomycin D, or by Quin-2. EGTA per se was responsible for the initiation of cell death. Colchicine also induced internucleosomal fragmentation of DNA. Our findings suggest that cold shock induced apoptosis is associated with low temperature mediated disruption of microtubules. The role of Ca2+ and growth factors in cold shock induced cell death is discussed.