The effect of TRAIL molecule on cell viability in in vitro beta cell culture

I Tekmen1, D Ozyurt, C Pekçetin

  • 1Department of Histology and Embryology, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, 35340, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey. isil.tekmen@deu.edu.tr

Acta Diabetologica
|May 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) did not induce significant cell death in rat pancreas beta cells or insulinoma cell lines. Further research into resistance mechanisms is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) involves autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
  • Cell death in IDDM may be mediated by ligands like TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cytotoxic effects of TRAIL on adult rat pancreas beta cell cultures and INS1-E rat insulinoma cell line cultures.

Main Methods:

  • Cell cultures were exposed to varying concentrations of TRAIL (10, 100, 1000 ng).
  • Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Main Results:

  • TRAIL treatment did not result in statistically significant differences in cell viability compared to control groups.
  • TRAIL demonstrated no significant cytotoxic effects on the tested beta cell and insulinoma cell cultures.

Conclusions:

  • TRAIL is unlikely to be a primary mediator of beta cell destruction in this experimental system.
  • Investigating TRAIL receptor expression and apoptosis inhibitors could elucidate resistance mechanisms to TRAIL-induced cell death.

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