Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
11:18
Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus
Published on: May 7, 2012
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cord blood lymphocytes
S Aggarwal1, A Gupta, S Nagata
1Basic and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Irvine 92697, USA.
Journal of Clinical Immunology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Cord blood lymphocytes exhibit distinct programmed cell death pathways compared to adult peripheral blood. Understanding these differences in apoptosis regulation is crucial for immune response development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cord blood lymphocytes possess immature immune functions and exhibit deficient immune responses.
- Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a critical process regulating immune cell populations.
- Distinct apoptosis regulation may underlie the functional differences between neonatal and adult immune cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in programmed cell death processes between cord blood and peripheral blood lymphocytes.
- To analyze the expression of key apoptosis-regulating genes (Fas, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) in both cell types.
- To compare the susceptibility of T cell subsets from cord blood and peripheral blood to apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes.
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze protein expression of apoptosis regulators.
- T cell subsets were stimulated with anti-CD3 or anti-Fas monoclonal antibodies to assess apoptosis susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Cord blood T cells showed lower expression of Fas and Bcl-2, a reduced Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and higher Bcl-xL compared to peripheral blood T cells.
- Cord blood T cells were more resistant to initial apoptosis induction by anti-CD3 stimulation.
- Rechallenge with anti-CD3 induced greater apoptosis in cord blood T cells, while anti-Fas-induced apoptosis was lower in cord blood T cells.
Conclusions:
- Programmed cell death pathways are differentially regulated in cord blood lymphocytes compared to adult peripheral blood lymphocytes.
- These apoptosis differences may contribute to the immature immune responses observed in neonates.
- Further research into these distinct apoptotic mechanisms is warranted for understanding immune development and potential therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...