APOPTOTIC CELL-DEATH OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AND RENAL TUBULAR CELLS IN THE GENERALIZED SHWARTZMAN REACTION

The participation of apoptotic cell death in the generalized Shwartzma n reaction was examined. The generalized Shwartzman reaction was induc ed in mice by two consecutive injections of lipopolysaccharide. Vascul ar endothelial cells in various organs of those mice were stained posi tively by the in situ specific labeling of fragmented DNA. Renal tubul es were also stained focally, It was suggested that apoptotic cell dea th might participate in the development of vascular endothelial cell d amage and acute tubular necrosis in the generalized Shwartzman reactio n. Simultaneous administration of anti-gamma-interferon antibody in th e preparative injection of lipopolysaccharide completely blocked apopt osis of vascular endothelial cells. Priming with recombinant gamma-int erferon instead of lipopolysaccharide could produce apoptosis of vascu lar endothelial cells. It was suggested that gamma-interferon might pl ay a critical role on sensitization of endothelial cells for apoptosis .