Apoptosis is associated with triacylglycerol accumulation in Jurkat T-cells

摘要

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is increasingly used as a non-invasive method to investigate apoptosis. Apoptosis was induced in Jurkat T-cells by Fas mAb. 1H magnetic resonance spectra of live cells showed an increase in methylene signal as well as methylene/methyl ratio of fatty acid side chains at 5 and 24?h following induction of apoptosis. To explain this observation, 1H magnetic resonance spectra of cell extracts were investigated. These demonstrated a 70.0±7.0%, 114.0±8.0% and 90.0±5.0% increase in the concentration of triacylglycerols following 3, 5 and 7?h of Fas mAb treatment (PP0.05 at 3, 5 and 7?h). 31P magnetic resonance spectra showed a drop in phosphatidylcholine content of apoptosing cells, indicating that alteration in phosphatidylcholine metabolism could be the source of triacylglycerol accumulation during apoptosis. In summary, apoptosis is associated with an early accumulation of mobile triacylglycerols mostly in the form of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. This is reflected in an increase in the methylene/methyl ratio which could be detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.