Interferon (IFN)-β induces apoptotic cell death in DHL-4 diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells through tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)

The effect of interferon (IFN)-α, β and γ on the growth of DHL-4 diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells was studied. IFN-β significantly inhibited the cell growth, and the effect was stronger than that of IFN-α. IFN-γ did not inhibit the cell growth because of lack of IFN-γ receptors. IFN-β caused apoptotic cell death which was accompanied by DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activation and annexin V binding. IFN-β lead to the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) mRNA. Anti-TRAIL antibody significantly prevented IFN-β-induced apoptosis. It was suggested that IFN-β might cause apoptosis in DHL-4 cells through TRAIL.