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 adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1, CD106) was shown to be strongly expressed in these apoptotic cells. Flow cytometric analysis also showed the expression of VCAM-1 in apoptotic thymocytes. An RT-PCR study demonstrated the expression of VCAM-1 mRNA in thymocytes. Splenic lymphocytes and other lymphoid cell lines also expressed VCAM-1 during the process of apoptosis. VCAM-1 mRNA expression was also observed in RT-PCR performed on these cell lines.