GLUCOCORTICOID-INDUCED APOPTOSIS OF LYMPHOID-CELLS

The induction of cell death in lymphoid cells by glucocorticoids is on e of the earliest and most thoroughly studied models of apoptosis. Alt hough the exact mechanism by which apoptosis occurs in lymphocytes is unknown many biochemical and molecular changes have been shown to occu r in these cells in response to glucocorticoids. The role of chromatin degradation and endonucleases in the apoptotic process has been close ly studied, as well as the involvement of several once genes in glucoc orticoid-induced cell lysis. In addition, the clinical importance of g lucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in the treatment of lymphoid neoplasms has recently received increased attention.