Positive effect of direct current on cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes

• Published in: Neoplasma Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 573 - 582
• Main Authors: Chudomel, V, Soucek, J, Hrubá, A, Jerábek, J, Schwarz, J, Smetana, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovakia 1989
• Subjects: Cytosol - immunology; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Electricity; Humans; Interleukin-2 - pharmacology; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Lymphocytes - immunology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - drug effects
• ISSN: 0028-2685

Normal or leukemic human lymphocytes treated with direct current (DC) showed enhanced antileukemic cytotoxicity. The enhancing effect of DC-treated lymphocytes was dependent on current density and time exposure. A desirable effect was achieved with current densities ranging from 5 to 10 mA/cm2 at a short exposition time (5--10s). Enhanced lymphocyte cytotoxicity occurred after a 48 h cultivation at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 and was proved by the increased number of trypan blue stained target cells, tumor-binding cells, and lymphocytes with activated nucleoli. Lymphocyte cytotoxicity measured immediately after DC-treatment was not enhanced. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect was potentiated using media conditioned with interleukin-2 (IL-2) or cytosol fraction (F3) isolated from human leukemic cells. Such in vitro stimulated cytotoxic cells displayed reactivity against K 562 cells as well as fresh leukemic cells of allogeneic origin. Of considerable clinical interest is the observation that lymphocytes treated with DC in IL-2 or F3 conditioned media may enhance antileukemic cytotoxicity in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with hematological malignancies.