Table 4.
Levels of Soluble CD95 in Serum and in Supernatants from Cultured Lymphocytes and Sensitivity to CD95-Mediated Apoptosis
| CD95Sol [ng/ml] | Apoptotic lymphocytes [%] | |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | ||
| CSS patients (n = 7) | 71.9 ± 13.7 | n.a. |
| healthy donors (n = 15) | 13.9 ± 1.5 | n.a. |
| Supernatants | ||
| cultured PBL, CSS (n = 5) | 321.6 ± 14.8 | 41 ± 6 |
| cultured PBL, HD (n = 4) | 68.3 ± 16.8 | 90 ± 2 |
| Supernatants | ||
| cultured PBL, patient WI | ||
| before treatment | 361.9 | 37 |
| after treatment | 99.5 | 81 |
| Supernatants | ||
| cultured PBL, patient LM | ||
| before treatment | 350.6 | 29 |
| after treatment | 48.1 | 84 |
Sera from blood samples of seven CSS patients and 15 healthy volunteers were collected and analyzed for their content of soluble CD95 by an ELISA technique as described in Materials and Methods. T lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of five CSS patients (PBL, CSS) and four healthy donors (PBL, HD) and were incubated in the presence of PHA (2.4 μg/ml) for 24 hours. Half of the lymphocytes were treated with 100 ng/ml of an agonistic anti-CD95 antibody for 24 hours. Percentages of apoptotic lymphocytes were assessed by the TUNEL method. From the remaining cultures lymphocytes were removed, supernatants were collected, and their content of soluble CD95 was determined by ELISA. For patients LM and WI the effect of immunosuppressive therapy is shown. Data are expressed as means ± SE, n.a., not applicable.