A role for metals and free radicals in the induction of apoptosis in thymocytes

Recent reports have implicated a possible but undefined role for reactive oxygen species in the induction and mediation of apoptosis. In the present study, the role of free radicals and metal ions in apoptosis induced in rat thymocytes by dexamethasone and etoposide was examined. Copper chelators, but not iron specific chelators, inhibited apoptosis induced by both these stimuli. Several antioxidants also possessed potent inhibitory effects. We therefore propose that diverse agents may induce apoptosis in thymocytes by a common mechanism involving a copper mediated Fenton reaction, generating site specific hydroxyl radicals, possibly as a result of activation of the redox sensitive transcription factor NF-kappa B.

Dexamethasone and etoposide induce apoptosis in rat thymocytes from different phases of the cell cycle

Dexamethasone and etoposide both induce apoptosis in immature rat thymocytes. We investigated the dependence of apoptosis on the phase of the cell cycle after incubation with these drugs. Cell cycle progression was followed by a combination of pulse labelling with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), labelling fixed cells with an anti-BrdU antibody and flow cytometry. Dexamethasone had little effect on the cell cycle progression of proliferating thymocytes, while etoposide caused cell cycle arrest. Normal and apoptotic thymocytes were separated by centrifugation on discontinuous Percoll gradients into four fractions (F1-F4). It was found that both dexamethasone and etoposide induced apoptosis in cells in G0/G1 and G2/M of the cell cycle, whereas only etoposide induced apoptosis of cells in S phase. These results demonstrated that dexamethasone induced apoptosis in quiescent cells while only etoposide could induce apoptosis in cells from the proliferative compartment. Following treatment of thymocytes with etoposide, some of the proliferating thymocytes (F1) were converted to cells with intermediate size and density (F3). We have recently identified these cells as a population of preapoptotic thymocytes, at an early stage of apoptosis. These cells then further progressed to fully apoptotic cells (F4). These data support the hypothesis that normal thymocytes (F1) became apoptotic (F4) via an intermediate population (F3).

The involvement of apoptosis in etoposide-induced thymic atrophy

A time- and dose-dependent thymic atrophy was observed in young male Fischer 344 rats dosed intraperitoneally with etoposide (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg). Histopathological examination of the thymus revealed that the pattern of cell death in the majority of thymocytes had a characteristic apoptotic morphology typified by nuclear condensation. This observation was supported by the formation of internucleosomal fragments of DNA in thymocytes isolated from animals dosed with etoposide. Administration of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (1.5 mg/kg, ip), 1 hr prior to etoposide inhibited the induction of apoptosis in thymocytes, assessed by both biochemical and histological criteria. Flow cytometric analysis of thymocytes from animals dosed with etoposide in vivo revealed the formation of both apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies in contrast to previous in vitro studies which showed the formation of only apoptotic cells. Our data indicate that the induction of apoptosis in thymocytes is a major mechanism involved in etoposide-induced thymic atrophy.

Formation of high molecular mass DNA fragments is a marker of apoptosis in the human leukaemic cell line, U937

Inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis and topoisomerases induce apoptosis in the human leukaemic cell line, U937. In this study, U937 cells were treated with the RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D (1 microM), the protein synthesis inhibitors, emetine (1 microM) and cycloheximide (100 microM), the topoisomerase II inhibitor, teniposide (5 microM), or the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin (1 microM). Apoptotic cell death was assessed both by flow cytometry and agarose gel electrophoresis, and was correlated to the appearance of large (20 to > or = 580 kilobase pairs) DNA fragments, as assessed by field inversion gel electrophoresis. In all cases, the appearance of DNA fragments of 20–50 kilobase pairs accompanied the appearance of an apoptotic population and of internucleosomal cleavage. However, teniposide additionally induced a marked increase in fragmentation to > or = 580 kilobase pairs. The cotreatment of cells with zinc (1 mM) inhibited the formation of all large DNA fragments, internucleosomal cleavage and the appearance of an apoptotic population. We conclude that the generation of large DNA fragments is characteristic of apoptosis induced by various stimuli in U937, as has been found previously in rat thymocytes. However, unlike what occurs in rat thymocytes, zinc treatment does not dissociate the formation of large fragments from conventional markers of apoptosis.

Cdc2 activation is not required for thymocyte apoptosis

Apoptosis is a mode of cell death characterized by chromatin condensation and disassembly of the nuclear lamina, processes that are also characteristic of mitosis. The apparent similarity between the two events, together with observations that apoptosis can occur following G2 arrest, has led to the suggestion that apoptosis could be a defective form of mitosis. Further support for this idea comes from the recent description of activation of the p34cdc2 protein kinase (Cdc2), the universal M-phase promoter, during death induced by a lymphocyte granule protease. We have monitored the protein kinase activity of Cdc2 during apoptosis of primary rat thymocytes, which die from a quiescent (G0) state. We demonstrate unequivocally that activation of Cdc2 is not involved in the induction of apoptosis in thymocytes, indicating that chromatin condensation and lamina disassembly occur in this system by processes different from those that operate in mitosis.

DNA fragmentation into 200-250 and/or 30-50 kilobase pair fragments in rat liver nuclei is stimulated by Mg2+ alone and Ca2+/Mg2+ but not by Ca2+ alone

Internucleosomal cleavage of DNA has often been regarded as the biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. We now demonstrate in isolated rat liver nuclei that DNA is initially cleaved into > or = 700, 200-250 kbp and 30-50 kbp fragments via a multi-step process, which is activated by Mg2+ and Mg2+(+)Ca2+ but not by Ca2+ alone. The subsequent internucleosomal cleavage requires both cations. These findings demonstrate that a key event in the apoptotic process is the fragmentation of DNA into large kbp fragments by either a Mg(2+)-dependent process (which can be potentiated by Ca2+) and/or by a Ca2+/Mg2+ activated endonuclease(s).

Formation of large molecular weight fragments of DNA is a key committed step of apoptosis in thymocytes

Apoptosis is a process in which cells die in a controlled manner and apparently participate in their own demise. It is best characterized morphologically by condensation of chromatin and biochemically by cleavage of chromatin at internucleosomal regions to yield a classical DNA ladder pattern. Apoptosis was induced in thymocytes by exposure to either the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, or DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, etoposide. We describe the formation of large m.w. fragments of DNA, 30 to 50 kilobase pairs in length, in a population of these thymocytes at an early stage of apoptosis before internucleosomal cleavage of DNA. These fragments are absent in normal thymocytes and their formation is dependent on protein synthesis. Their appearance is coincident with the commitment of these cells to apoptosis. The formation of these large fragments is associated with the condensation of chromatin, abutting the nuclear membrane, recognized as one of the earliest ultrastructural signs of apoptosis. Subsequent cleavage of these large fragments gives rise to oligonucleosomal fragments and is independent of protein synthesis. We propose that the formation of large fragments of DNA represents a key committed step in apoptosis, and that it is from these fragments that the archetypal DNA ladders associated with apoptosis are derived.

Formation of large molecular weight fragments of DNA is a key committed step of apoptosis in thymocytes

Apoptosis is a process in which cells die in a controlled manner and apparently participate in their own demise. It is best characterized morphologically by condensation of chromatin and biochemically by cleavage of chromatin at internucleosomal regions to yield a classical DNA ladder pattern. Apoptosis was induced in thymocytes by exposure to either the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, or DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, etoposide. We describe the formation of large m.w. fragments of DNA, 30 to 50 kilobase pairs in length, in a population of these thymocytes at an early stage of apoptosis before internucleosomal cleavage of DNA. These fragments are absent in normal thymocytes and their formation is dependent on protein synthesis. Their appearance is coincident with the commitment of these cells to apoptosis. The formation of these large fragments is associated with the condensation of chromatin, abutting the nuclear membrane, recognized as one of the earliest ultrastructural signs of apoptosis. Subsequent cleavage of these large fragments gives rise to oligonucleosomal fragments and is independent of protein synthesis. We propose that the formation of large fragments of DNA represents a key committed step in apoptosis, and that it is from these fragments that the archetypal DNA ladders associated with apoptosis are derived.

Mg(2+)-dependent cleavage of DNA into kilobase pair fragments is responsible for the initial degradation of DNA in apoptosis

Cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments, recognizable as a DNA ladder on agarose gel electrophoresis, is usually considered as the biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. Recently, it has been shown that this internucleosomal cleavage is preceded by the formation of large fragments of DNA of > or = 700, 200-250, and 30-50 kilobase pairs (kbp) in length. Using isolated thymocyte nuclei, we now demonstrate that the formation of these large fragments is Mg(2+)- but not Ca(2+)-dependent. Further degradation of > or = 460- and 200-250-kbp fragments to 30-50-kbp fragments but not oligonucleosomal cleavage is also Mg(2+)-dependent but is facilitated by Ca2+. In contrast, formation of oligonucleosomal fragments does not occur in the presence of either Ca2+ or Mg2+ alone but requires the presence of both cations. These results support the hypothesis that the formation of these large fragments and the subsequent internucleosomal cleavage are distinct steps in the degradation of DNA in apoptosis in thymocytes.

Changes in nuclear chromatin precede internucleosomal DNA cleavage in the induction of apoptosis by etoposide

Etoposide, a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, caused a concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis in immature thymocytes. Using a flow cytometric method to separate and quantify normal and apoptotic cells, etoposide-induced apoptosis was inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin D but not by zinc. Etoposide induced a marked cleavage of DNA into nucleosomal length fragments or multiples thereof, which was completely inhibited if the thymocytes were also incubated in the presence of zinc. Etoposide, alone, induced the classical ultrastructural features of apoptosis, but in the presence of zinc, the morphological pattern was markedly different and dominated by discrete clumps of condensed chromatin abutting the nuclear membrane. These latter changes resemble those described as the earliest changes in apoptosis. These results support the hypothesis that, in the induction of apoptosis, critical alterations in nuclear chromatin occur prior to endonuclease cleavage of DNA into nucleosomal fragments.

A novel role for carboxylesterase in the elevation of cellular cysteine by esters of cysteine

Esters of cysteine, such as cysteine isopropylester (CIPE) or cysteine cyclohexylester (CCHE), are efficient delivery systems for cysteine to cells. After enzymic cleavage, the esters of cysteine provide a source of cellular cysteine, which may support reduced glutathione (GSH) synthesis and/or act as a direct chemoprotectant. Reducing esterase activity of rat lung slices or isolated hepatocytes with paraoxon or bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate or by reducing the temperature to 4 degrees dramatically altered the metabolism of esters of cysteine; the initial increase in cellular cysteine was slowed, the residency time of cysteine esters in the extracellular pool was prolonged without substantially enhancing the levels of intracellular ester. Incubation of lung slices with CIPE at 4 degrees led to a marked increase in cellular cysteine, which prior inhibition of esterase activity abolished. Inhibiting the neutral amino acid uptake systems, ASC and L, while effecting the uptake of cysteine, did not reduce the elevation of cellular cysteine by CIPE. We propose that the elevation of cellular cysteine by esters of cysteine may be mediated by membrane associated esterase activity.

Increased membrane permeability of apoptotic thymocytes: a flow cytometric study

We have recently developed a method for the separation and quantification of viable apoptotic cells without the need for permeabilisation or fixation of the cells. The method is based on the observation that apoptotic rat thymocytes fluoresce more brightly than normal cells after a brief incubation with the DNA binding dye, Hoechst 33342. In order to understand these differences, we have investigated the uptake of Hoechst 33342 by normal and apoptotic thymocytes. By staining with fluorescein diacetate, we have shown that the efflux of fluorescein from apoptotic cells is more rapid than that from normal thymocytes. This result demonstrated an increase in the permeability of the plasma membrane of the apoptotic thymocytes and it is this change which probably results in the more rapid uptake of Hoechst 33342. The data also revealed two populations of apoptotic thymocytes.

Identification of a transitional preapoptotic population of thymocytes

Apoptosis, a major form of cell death in the immune system, is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and cleavage into nucleosomal fragments. Apoptosis may be the mechanism for the elimination of autoreactive and unselected CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes in the thymus. A large number of diverse agents are capable of inducing apoptosis in immature thymocytes. Rat thymocytes were treated with etoposide, a DNA topoisomerase II reactive agent, or dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid, and separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. We have identified and isolated a transitional preapoptotic population of thymocytes that exhibited early morphologic and biochemical changes associated with apoptosis. These preapoptotic cells were intermediate in size and density between normal and apoptotic thymocytes and exhibited a decreased surface expression of both CD4 and CD8 molecules compared to control thymocytes. On ultrastructural examination, they were shown to possess sharply defined clumps of condensed chromatin abutting onto the nuclear membrane. These morphologic changes, the first detectable signs of apoptosis, occurred prior to the internucleosomal cleavage of DNA, often regarded as the biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. Nucleosomal fragments of 180 to 200 base pairs or multiples thereof were, however, detected following subsequent dramatic changes in the nuclear structure of these preapoptotic cells that resulted in morphology typical of apoptosis. These results suggest that early critical events in apoptosis precede internucleosomal cleavage of DNA.

Identification of a transitional preapoptotic population of thymocytes

Apoptosis, a major form of cell death in the immune system, is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and cleavage into nucleosomal fragments. Apoptosis may be the mechanism for the elimination of autoreactive and unselected CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes in the thymus. A large number of diverse agents are capable of inducing apoptosis in immature thymocytes. Rat thymocytes were treated with etoposide, a DNA topoisomerase II reactive agent, or dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid, and separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. We have identified and isolated a transitional preapoptotic population of thymocytes that exhibited early morphologic and biochemical changes associated with apoptosis. These preapoptotic cells were intermediate in size and density between normal and apoptotic thymocytes and exhibited a decreased surface expression of both CD4 and CD8 molecules compared to control thymocytes. On ultrastructural examination, they were shown to possess sharply defined clumps of condensed chromatin abutting onto the nuclear membrane. These morphologic changes, the first detectable signs of apoptosis, occurred prior to the internucleosomal cleavage of DNA, often regarded as the biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. Nucleosomal fragments of 180 to 200 base pairs or multiples thereof were, however, detected following subsequent dramatic changes in the nuclear structure of these preapoptotic cells that resulted in morphology typical of apoptosis. These results suggest that early critical events in apoptosis precede internucleosomal cleavage of DNA.

Elevation of cysteine and replenishment of glutathione in rat lung slices by cysteine isopropylester and other cysteine precursors

In this study, we have used a rat lung slice model to compare the ability to several potential cysteine delivery systems (L-cysteine isopropylester, L-cysteine cyclohexylester, N-acetylcysteine, L,2-oxo-4-thiazolidine carboxylic acid and cysteine) to elevate cysteine and glutathione (GSH) levels in control lung slices and slices depleted of their GSH by diethyl maleate. The esters of cysteine produced the greatest rise in lung slice cysteine. All the cysteine delivery systems were capable of replenishing GSH in lung slices previously depleted of GSH by diethyl maleate.

Thymocyte apoptosis as a mechanism for tributyltin-induced thymic atrophy in vivo

Tributyltin (TBT) immunotoxicity in rodent species is primarily characterised by T-lymphocyte deficiency resulting from a depletion of cortical thymocytes. In this study, bis(tri-n-butyltin) oxide (TBTO) was administered to male rats as a single oral dose of 30 or 60 mg/kg, and assessments were made of thymic cytopathology and the integrity of cellular DNA. TBTO treatment did not cause severe toxicity or overt clinical signs; however, by 48 h post-dosing relative thymus weights at 30 and 60 mg/kg were reduced to 66 and 43%, respectively, of control values. Increased DNA fragmentation was evident in thymic cell isolates (principally thymocytes) obtained from treated animals during the period of thymic involution. When DNA purified from these cells was visualised by agarose gel electrophoresis a multimeric internucleosomal fragmentation pattern, indicative of supra-physiological levels of apoptosis, was detected. Although unassociated apoptotic or necrotic thymocytes were essentially absent in cell preparations from TBTO-treated rats, significantly increased numbers of mononuclear phagocytic cells were observed. Many of these cells contained either apoptotic thymocytes, with nuclear morphologies exhibiting chromatin condensation, or cell remnants which were characterised as apoptotic bodies. Dibutyltin, which is a major metabolic dealkylation product of tributyltin, failed to significantly stimulate apoptosis when added to isolated thymocytes in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that activation of apoptosis contributes to TBT-induced thymocyte depletion in vivo, and indicate that it is unlikely that the metabolite dibutyltin is responsible for this effect.

Structure-activity relationships of cysteine esters and their effects on thiol levels in rat lung in vitro

Pretreatment with cysteine esters increases cysteine (CySH) levels in rat lung and protects against the lethal effects of inhaled perfluoroisobutene in vivo. There are marked differences in the duration of protection achieved with different cysteine esters. In this study we have compared the uptake and metabolism of CySH, N-acetyl cysteine (NAc), cysteine esters and cystine esters in vitro using rat lung and liver homogenates and lung slices. Liver homogenates metabolized CySH and cysteine esters faster than lung homogenates. The half life (T1/2) of CySH in lung was 58.8 +/- 17.3 min and in liver was 14.0 +/- 1.6 min (mean +/- SEM). T1/2 of the esters in lung ranged between 6.5 and 12.1 min and in liver between 1.9 and 5.3 min. Cysteine tertiary butyl ester, which does not protect in vivo, was not hydrolysed to CySH by lung or liver homogenates. All esters increased and prolonged intracellular CySH concentrations in lung slices to a much greater extent than CySH itself. NAc did not raise intracellular CySH above that of the controls and no NAc appeared within the slice. After CySH incubation intracellular CySH was 0.9 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg wet wt at 10 min whereas after incubation with the esters it ranged between 2.60 and 3.65 nmol/mg wet wt. Cysteine cyclohexyl ester prolonged the increase of CySH the longest and cysteine methyl ester the shortest. CySH levels with cysteine cyclohexyl ester were 2.74 +/- 0.15 and 4.13 +/- 0.37 nmol/mg wet wt at 10 and 60 min, respectively, whereas with cysteine methyl ester, CySH levels were 2.60 +/- 0.5 and 1.25 +/- 0.08 nmol/mg wet wt at similar times. Cystine esters increased intracellular concentrations of both cystine and CySH. CySH concentrations ranged between 2.92 and 3.19 nmol/mg wet wt and cystine between 1.39 and 1.47 nmol/mg wet wt at 60 min. The elevation and duration of CySH in lung slices is well correlated with the duration of protection against perfluoroisobutene achieved in vivo.

Apoptosis as a mechanism of tributyltin cytotoxicity to thymocytes: relationship of apoptotic markers to biochemical and cellular effects

Recent in vitro studies have suggested that activation of apoptosis could account for the profound depletion of cortical thymocytes, which characterizes tributyltin (TBT) immunotoxicity. However, it has also been shown that TBT disrupts macromolecular synthesis and cellular energetics to an extent that might be expected to interfere with the initiation of apoptosis. The purpose of these studies was to further evaluate the morphological and biochemical characteristics of thymocyte killing by TBT and to relate this to key cellular processes. Ex vivo thymocyte cultures from immature rats were treated with bis(tri-n-butyltin) oxide (TBTO) at concentrations ranging from those which rapidly produced necrosis (5-10 microM), down to cytotoxic but subnecrotic concentrations (0.1-2 microM). In cells exposed to TBTO concentrations that caused a rapid and near maximal inhibition of protein synthesis, it remained possible to demonstrate the stereotypic internucleosomal DNA cleavage and morphological changes indicative of apoptosis. Further confirmation that apoptosis was occurring independently from protein synthesis was provided by the absence of a protective effect following cycloheximide pretreatment. Apoptosis still occurred in TBTO-treated thymocytes although intracellular ATP levels were depressed to 20% or less of control values. Cytoprotective effects were noted with the intracellular Ca2+ chelators BAPTA-AM and Quin-2 AM, and also with zinc. Cell killing by TBTO occurred without overt disturbance of thymocyte cell cycle parameters. These results indicate that thymocyte apoptosis stimulated by TBT exposure occurs independently of a requirement for protein synthesis and does not require fully conserved cellular energetics.

Dexamethasone-induced apoptosis involves cleavage of DNA to large fragments prior to internucleosomal fragmentation

Apoptosis is a major form of cell death, characterized morphologically by chromatin condensation and biochemically by endonuclease cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments. Recently, we reported that zinc arrested dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in thymocytes at an early stage, as characterized morphologically by condensation of heterochromatin into clumps abutting the nuclear membrane. In this study, we show that zinc completely inhibits endonuclease cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments but does not prevent the cleavage of DNA into high molecular weight fragments. These results indicate that the formation of these high molecular weight fragments, which correlates with the very early morphological features of apoptosis, is a critical event in glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis. The formation of these high molecular weight fragments, despite the inhibition by zinc of the endonuclease cleavage of DNA, suggests that key enzyme(s), other than the Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent endonuclease, are involved at the earliest stages of induction of apoptosis.

Structure of avian tectorial, otolithic, and cupular membranes

Any explanation of cochlear and vestibular micro-mechanics must include the contributions of the tectorial (TM), otholithic (OM), and cupular (CM) membranes. However, unresolved questions about the microarchitectures of these membranes and the types and number of attachments to their underlying sensory areas have hampered the development of micro-mechanical models of transduction. These membranes are notoriously difficult to preserve because they undergo severe shrinkage during fixation and embedding. We have empirically developed fixation procedures that reduce shrinkage and thereby preserve the microarchitectures. As a result, we can realistically depict the spatial relations and attachments of tectorial, otolithic, and cupular membranes to their respective sensory areas.

Development of the chick's auditory ossicle, the columella

The avian middle ear contains a single auditory ossicle that is composed of a bony columella and a cartilaginous extracolumella. The columellar footplate (clipeolus) inserts into the oval window at its proximal end. The extracolumella attaches to the tympanic membrane at its distal end. The present study was undertaken to determine the patterns of growth, chondrification, and ossification of the chick's auditory ossicle before and after hatching.

Neuronal types in the chicken's statoacoustic ganglion

In the hearing organs of vertebrates, bipolar sensory (afferent) neurons innervate the hair cells (sensory epithelium) by their dendritic (peripheral) processes. In the mammalian cochlea, two neuronal types (I and II) innervate the inner and outer hair cells, respectively. By comparison, the correspondence between neuronal and hair cell types is uncertain in the avian auditory lagena (cochlea). The objective of the present study was to identify and map the relative distributions of neuronal types in the chicken's statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) by means of morphometric analysis and immunoreactivity to neuro-specific enolase (NSE) and neuro-filament protein 200 kDa (NFP-200).

Quantification of apoptosis and necrosis by flow cytometry

Apoptosis and necrosis are two important mechanisms of cell death. Several methods have recently been described for quantifying apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. We report a novel method for the quantification and separation of viable normal and apoptotic cells. We have applied this method both to immature rat thymocytes treated with a variety of agents and to a murine haemopoetic cell line after withdrawal of a growth factor. The cells were incubated with two dyes which give fluorescent complexes when bound to DNA, the bis-benzimidazole, Hoechst 33342, and propidium iodide. Three populations were identified and characterized. On excitation with UV radiation, dead cells fluoresced red due to the uptake of propidium iodide whereas apoptotic cells fluoresced bright blue; normal cells showed low blue, low red fluorescence. In this paper, we demonstrate how this method may be used to help to distinguish between cell death by apoptosis and necrosis.

Characterization of apoptosis in thymocytes isolated from dexamethasone-treated rats

The induction of apoptosis by glucocorticoids in isolated thymocytes has been studied extensively. However, it is not known whether or not the same changes occur after in vivo glucocorticoid treatment. In order to investigate this, we have studied the changes occurring in thymocytes isolated from rats, from 2-24 hr after a dose of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), which caused 50% thymic atrophy. Thymocytes were separated into four fractions by isopycnic Percoll gradients. A loss of cells occurred within 2-8 hr, primarily in only one of the two major fractions of normal thymocytes. This loss of normal thymocytes coincided with the appearance of small dense cells with characteristic features of apoptosis including condensed chromatin, increased DNA fragmentation, internucleosomal DNA cleavage and a "hypodiploid" peak on flow cytometric analysis. Striking differences occurred in the cellular composition of the different Percoll fractions with time. Initially (up to 4 hr), the pattern of changes occurring in vivo resembled those found in vitro. However, at later times, the complex fate of apoptotic cells in vivo, such as phagocytosis, are not observed in the in vitro studies.