Glucocorticoid receptors and lymphocytolysis in normal and neoplastic lymphocytes

When cells of the thymus or mouse leukemias P288 and L1210 are exposed in vitro to the potent synthetic glucocorticoid, 3H-Triamcinolone acetonide, the steroid enters the cells passively and binds to macromolecules in the cytoplasm. At 37 degrees C this hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus and associates with the chromatin. The association with chromatin occurs not only in the corticosteroid-sensitive rat thymocytes and mouse tumors P288 and P1798S but also in the corticosteroid-resistant mouse tumors L1210 and P1798R. An apparent correlation, although not absolute, exists between the content of glucocorticoid-binding macromolecule and the sensitivity of the lymphocytes studied to the lytic effect of glucocorticoids; the sensitive cells having more receptor than the resistant cells. The process of lysis is attributed to the release from the much larger stores of triglyceride in thymus and sensitive lymphoma cells, of a large pool of FFA which causes focal damage to the nuclear membrane resulting in karyorrhexis and, subsequently, to cytolysis. Resistance is attributed to the capacity for preventing the accumulation of greater than about 0.5 fmole FFA/cell. Resistant cells induced to accumulate greater amounts, even for a few minutes, ultimately undergo lysis. Most effective in accomplishing this are branched chain fatty acids of C-8 and higher, which block FFA metabolism, causing accumulation which results in cytolysis.