Flow cytometric evaluation of Fas expression in relation to response and resistance to anthracyclines in leukemic cells

Abstract

Cell chemosensitivity to cytotoxic drugs has been attributed to their ability to trigger apoptosis. The emergence of resistance in drug-exposed cells is often characterized by the appearance of drug efflux mechanisms including P-gp transport. Nevertheless, mdr1 expression may coexist with other resistance features, in particular those interfering with apoptotic signaling pathways. Leukemic cell lines cultured in a progressively toxic environment were analyzed for Fas and P-gp expression by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Their mdr1 mRNA expression level was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and their apoptotic response was microscopically evaluated. Activation of the Fas pathway was obtained by cross-linking the Fas receptor with the 7C11 anti-Fas agonist. We demonstrate a dose-dependent Fas overexpression after short-term (18 h) incubation with daunorubicin. The subsequent sensitization to Fas activators led to a significant increase in the apoptotic response induced by 7C11. After long-term exposure to daunorubicin and acquisition of drug resistance, expression of P-gp was accompanied by a decrease in the number of Fas sites at the cell surface with a correlated desensitization to Fas-induced apoptosis. Additional alterations in the Fas signaling pathway can also be hypothesized in the most resistant Jurkat cell line. The induction of Fas expression could be one of the mechanisms of action of chemotoxic drugs and thus might enhance the cell susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis. On the contrary, the emergence of the multidrug resistance phenotype is associated with a down-regulation of Fas expression and possible defects in the Fas signaling pathway.