Effect of AMD3100 on dengue virus type 2-induced apoptosis in Eahy926 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of AMD3100 (an inhibitor of CXCR4) in dengue virus type 2 (DV2)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cell line Eahy926. METHODS: The expression of factor Ⅷ in Eahy926 cells was examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The cells were divided into untreated group, DV2 infection group and DV2+AMD3100 group. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the expression of CXCR4 in Eahy926 cells 24 h, 36 h, 48 h and 60 h after DV2 infection. In addition, the percentage of apoptotic cells was also analyzed by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the phosphatidylserine (PS) on the surface of Eahy926 cells.RESULTS: Eahy926 cells were factor Ⅷ-positive. Compared with untreated group, the expression of CXCR4 increased in DV2 infection group, most markedly 48 h after infection (66.13%±10.30%, P<0.05). The percentage of apoptotic Eahy926 cells after DV2 infection was the highest at 36 h (29.85%±15.78%, P<0.05). The percentage of DV2-induced apoptotic cells in DV2+AMD3100 group was higher than that in DV2 infection group. The green fluorescence-labeled cells in DV2 infection group and DV2+AMD3100 group were more than those in untreated group. CONCLUSION: DV2 infection induces apoptosis and increases the expression of CXCR4 in Eahy926 cells. AMD3100, the inhibitor of CXCR4, may be a promoter of apoptosis in Eahy926 cells after DV2 infection.