Resveratrol enhances the expression of death receptor Fas/CD95 and induces differentiation and apoptosis in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma cells.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grapes and other plants, plays a protective role in human atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis. We examined the effects of resveratrol on the anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) cell line SR-786. Resveratrol inhibited growth and induced cellular differentiation, as demonstrated by morphological changes and elevated expression of T cell differentiation markers CD2, CD3, and CD8. Resveratrol also triggered cellular apoptosis, as demonstrated by morphological observations, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle analyses. Further, the surface expression of the death receptor Fas/CD95 was increased by resveratrol treatment. Our data suggest that resveratrol may have potential therapeutic value for ALCL.