The induction of apoptosis in proliferating human fibroblasts by oxygen radicals is associated with a p53- and p21(WAF1CIP1) induction

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO) in the induction of apoptosis was studied in the human fibroblast cell line WI38. Apoptosis but not necrosis was observed in proliferating fibroblasts after 48 h incubation with 1 mM HX and 0.05 U/ml XO. Induction of apoptosis was hindered by catalase. Cell-cycle analysis revealed a reduction of cells in the S/G2 phase 24 and 48 h after stimulation, suggesting that ROS induce a GI arrest in proliferating fibroblasts. This was supported by an accumulation of p53 and the cdk inhibitor p21(WAF/CIP1). Since apoptosis was not inducible in senescent fibroblasts our data indicate that ROS mainly induces apoptosis in proliferating cells. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.