EXPRESSION OF VCAM-1 IN LYMPHOCYTES DURING THE PROCESS OF APOPTOSIS

The administration of corticosteroids induced apoptosis of thymocytes in vivo. Among various adhesion molecules examined, vascular cell adhe sion molecule-1 (VCAM-1, CD106) was shown to be strongly expressed in these apoptotic cells. Flow cytometric analysis also showed the expres sion of VCAM-1 in apoptotic thymocytes. An RT-PCR study demonstrated t he expression ofVCAM-1 mRNA in thymocytes. Splenic lymphocytes and oth er lymphoid cell lines also expressed VCAM-1 during the process of apo ptosis. VCAM-1 mRNA expression was also observed in RT-PCR performed o n these cell lines.