Reversible G1 arrest in the cell cycle of human lymphoid cell lines by dimethyl sulfoxide

Proliferation of human B- and T-lymphoid cell lines including Raji and Akata cells was found to be arrested at the G1 stage in the cell cycle by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The G1 arrest by DMSO occurred gradually and was completed within 96 h after addition of 1.5% DMSO concomitantly with a decrease in growth rate. Progression of G1-phase cells containing a larger amount of RNA into S-phase began 9-12 h after removal of DMSO. At 24 h, the DNA pattern of the cell cycle was similar to that of nontreated log-phase cells. The expression of six differentiation markers on the lymphoid cells was not appreciably changed by treatment with DMSO. On the other hand, the expression of transferrin receptor (one of the growth-related markers) on G1-phase cells 96 h after addition of DMSO was decreased to one-fourth that on log-phase cells and was completely restored 24 h after removal of DMSO. These results indicate that DMSO, known as an inducer of differentiation in several myeloid cell lines, acts as an agent inducing G1 arrest in the cell cycle of the lymphoid cells.