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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 16, 2011
Chromium VI-induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and a lymphoblastic leukemia cell
Angela Gambelunghe1, Renza Piccinini, Giuseppe Abbritti
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Abstract:
Hexavalent chromium compounds are well-documented human carcinogens. In vitro experiments show Cr (VI) induces cell death by apoptosis by activating p53 protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and in a lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (MOLT-4). Cr (VI) caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in the apoptosis rate in both cell lines. Western blotting showed increased p53 protein expression in MOLT-4 cells, but not in BEAS-2B cells, after exposure to 0.5 and 3 muM hexavalent chromium for 12 hours and 4 hours, respectively. Apoptotic cell death induced by Cr (VI) was not decreased by pretreatment with caspase-3, -8, and -9 inhibitors. These preliminary results provide evidence of Cr (VI)-induced apoptosis, which deserves further investigation in occupationally exposed workers.
