Effect of cathepsin B on thymocyte apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
AIM
To further investigate the mechanism of the thymus dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats.


METHODS
The location of cathepsin B expression was determined by in situ hybridization. The expression of cathepsin B was analyzed by Northern blot, and thymocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL and flow cytometer, respectively.


RESULTS
The expression of cathepsin B in thymus paralleled with thymocyte apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Cathepsin B transcripts were located in the plasma of thymocytes and were more over-expressed of 6- and 8-week-old SHR than those in the thymus of WKY.


CONCLUSION
Thymocyte apoptosis in SHR is increased and this phenomenon is associated with the expression of cathepsin B.