Cytotoxic reactions of CC531s towards liver sinusoidal endothelial cells: a microscopical study

Introduction Colorectal cancer cells can induce apoptosis in cells of various tissues [1]. Apoptosis can be induced by a number of factors such as Fas inducing apoptosis through the Fas/ FasL pathway; other factors involve the TRAIL pathway and TNF. It is known that metastasizing colon cancer cells express more FasL then primary carcinoma cells [2]. We investigated whether a rat colon carcinoma cell line CC531s could induce apoptosis in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs and CC531s were co-cultured for 18 hrs and cells were visualized by SEM and TEM. Apoptosis was visualized by markers such as Hoechst and Propidium iodide. Furthermore, cells were recorded by time lapse video microscopy with and without an antagonistic antibody for FasL.