Cell death by overload of the elastin–laminin receptor on human activated lymphocytes: protection by lactose and melibiose

Abstract

We describe here cell death of human activated lymphocytes expressing the elastin-laminin receptor in the presence of increasing concentrations of elastin peptides, agonists of the receptor. The mechanism of cell death appears to be related to the triggering of the release of elastase and free radicals mediated by the elastin-laminin receptor. Antagonists of this receptor, lactose and melibiose, protected the lymphocytes from the receptor-mediated cell death.