AZT- and IFN-α-mediated apoptosis in PEL is NF-κB dependent.

(A) BC-3 p50/VP16 cells express high levels of nuclear NF-κB compared with wild-type BC-3 cells. Purified nuclear extracts (15 μg) from wild-type BC-3 cells and BC-3/VP16 transfectants were assayed by Western blot for expression of NF-κB. (B) Effect of AZT on NF-κB nuclear signal in p50/VP16 transfectants. Untransfected BC-3 cells (WT) and 2 clones of BC-3 p50/VP16 transfectants were treated with AZT (10 μg/mL) for 30 minutes. Nuclear extracts (15 μg) were assayed for NF-κB by EMSA. (C) Transfection of p50/VP16 renders BC-3 cells resistant to AZT and IFN-α. BC-3 and BC-3 p50/VP16 transfectants were treated with medium or AZT (10 μg/mL) plus IFN-α (1000 U/mL) for 36 hours. Viability was assessed by trypan blue exclusion.