Zoledronic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in U937 cells

AIM: To study the antiproliferation and proapoptotic effects of zoledronic acid(ZOL) on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line U937. METHODS: The viability of U937 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle of the U937 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry with PI staining. Apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-PI and Hoechst 33342 staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 assay. Methylcellulose was used to assess colony formation. The protein levels of p21, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: ZOL inhibited the viability of U937 cells. ZOL induced S-phase cell cycle arrest in the U937 cells. The results of flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V-PI and Hoechst 33342 staining showed that ZOL also induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mitochondrial membrane potential assay was also used to verify the apoptosis. The apoptotic rate was consistent with the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Colony formation assay showed that ZOL significantly inhibited the colony formation capacity of the U937 cells. This was achieved by the induction of S-phase cell cycle arrest, and up-regulation of Bax and p21, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: ZOL inhibits cell proliferation by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related protein, and induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.     

Effects of baicalin on CA46 cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction

AIM: To investigate the effects of baicalin on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in human Burkitt lymphoma cell line CA46 and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: CA46 cells were exposed to baicalin at different dosages and its proliferation inhibition was detected by MTT assay. The ability of baicalin to induce CA46 cell apoptosis was examined by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining analysis, TUNEL labeling method and DNA fragmentation. The mRNA expressions of c-myc and bcl-2 were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of c-Myc, Bcl-2, caspase-3 precursor (procaspase-3) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Baicalin remarkably inhibited the CA46 cell proliferation, with an IC50 value of 10 μmol/L. Apoptosis was remarkably induced by baicalin in a dose-dependent manner, and its earlier and later stages were detected by annexin V-FITC/PI double staining analysis, TUNEL labeling method and DNA fragmentation, respectively. Furthermore, RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of c-myc and bcl-2 in treated CA46 cells decreased in a time-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that the protein expressions of c-Myc, Bcl-2, procaspase-3 and PARP (116 kD) in baicalin treated CA46 cells were down-regulated in a time-dependent manner, while the expression of PARP(85 kD) was up-regulated. CONCLUSION: Baicalin efficiently induces proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in CA46 cells, which may be related with the down-regulation of c-Myc and Bcl-2 expressions, as well as the up-regulation of caspase-3 activity.     

mTOR kinase inhibitor CC-223 suppresses human breast cancer cell viability

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of CC-223, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase, on the viability of human breast cancer cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of CC-223 on the viability of MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution of breast cancer cells was examined by flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins and oncoproteins c-Myc and survivin was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: CC-223 significantly inhibited the viability of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05). CC-223 induced cell cycle arrest in both G₁ phase and G₂/M phase in the MCF-7 cells (P<0.05). However, low concentration of CC-223 treatment resulted in the accumulation of MDA-MB-231 cell cycle in the G₂/M phase, and the cell number in G₁ phase was unaffected. Treatment with CC-223 for 24 h clearly inhibited the protein levels of cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and phosphorylated cell division cycle protein 2 in the breast cancer cells (P<0.05). CC-223 suppressed the expression of c-Myc and survivin in both MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CC-223 inhibits cell viability by blocking cell cycle progression and down-regulating expression of c-Myc and survivin in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.     

miR-130b reverses temozolomide resistance in glioma

AIM:To investigate the expression level of microRNA-130b (miR-130b) and the molecular me-chanisms of miR-130b in temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant glioma. METHODS:The relative levels of miR-130b in 3 glioma cell lines (U251, SHG-44 and U87) were assessed by RT-qPCR. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of TMZ for the glioma cell lines was analyzed. To establish the TMZ-resistant glioma cell line, U251 cells were exposed to gradually increasing concentrations of TMZ. The IC₅₀ and resistance index (RF) were calculated with GraphPad Prism software. miR-130b-overexpressing U251/TR cells and miR-130b-knockdown U251 cells were established by transient transfection with miR-130b mimics and miR-130b inhibitor, respectively. The viability of the glioma cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis of glioma cells was analyzed by Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the potential target gene of miR-130b, and such prediction was validated by luciferase reporter assay. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed to detect the DNA binding ability of NF-κB. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Bcl-2, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and survivin in the glioma cells. RESULTS:The IC₅₀ values of TMZ for the giloma cell lines U251, SHG-44 and U87 were 54.8, 94.8 and 149.6 μmol/L, respectively. U251/TR cells were approximately 8.1 times resistant to TMZ as compared with its parental cells. Up-regulation of miR-130b significantly reduced the resistance of U251/TR cells to TMZ. On the contrary, down-regulation of miR-130b dramatically increased the tolerance of U251 cells to TMZ. The overexpression of miR-130b promoted apoptosis induced by TMZ in the U251/TR cells. However, the knockdown of miR-130b expression decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells in the U251 cells induced by TMZ (P<0.05). Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TNF-α was a direct target gene of miR-130b. Knockdown of miR-130b in the U251 cells significantly promoted, while overexpression of miR-130b in the U251/TR cells reduced the DNA binding ability of NF-κB as well as the levels of TNF-α, Bcl-2, XIAP and survivin. Furthermore, NF-κB inhibitor Bay 11-7082 enhanced TMZ-induced apoptosis in the U251/TR cells. CONCLUSION:The expression of miR-130b is significantly decreased in TMZ-resistant glioma cells. miR-130b inhibits resistance of glioma to TMZ by targeting TNF-α/NF-κB pathway.     

High-efficient genetic transfection of CD41+,UT7, U937 and MDA-MB-435 cells with a recombined murine stem cell retroviral vector

AIM: Gene transduction with a recombined murine stem cell retroviral vector has been investigated to find an effective way of gene transduction and to offer theory and experimental basis for the recombined murine stem cell retroviral vector used for gene transduction. METHODS: 1. Construction of retrovirus vector: EC1-4 gene (repeats 1-4 of cadher in-5 extracellular domain) and mutant (Ser 222A) MEK1 gene were cloned into retrovirus vector pMSCV after cut by Bgl Ⅱ and EcoR 1 restriction endonuclease. 2. Obtaining CD41⁺ cells and cell culture: Cells expressing CD34⁺ from cord blood were isolated. The inducement of cells expressing CD41 from CD34⁺ cells was performed by using TPO and cells CD41⁺ were selected by FACS. NIH 3T3 cells were cultured in high sugar DMEM medium and U937 in RPMI 1640 medium. UT7 cells which is cytokine-dependent cell line were grown in Iscove's modified Dulbeco's medium supplemented by GM-CSF. 3. Determination of viral titers: Retroviral vectors were transferred to packaging cell line 293. Retroviral containing supenatant was collected after transfection. The viral titers was tested on infection of NIH 3T3 cells by FACS analysis. 4. Western blot: Transduced CD41⁺, UT7, U937 and MDA-MB-435 cells were analyzed by western blot to examine expression of transduced genes. RESULTS: A packaging cell line 293 produces high-titer MEK1 pMSCV retroviruses (3.1×10⁷) and EC1-4 pMSCV retroviruses (1.0×10⁸). With 8-folds dilution retroviruses, 60.73% GFP positive cells have been obtained in MEK1 pMSCV transduced UT7 cells, 72.56% in U937 cells and 30.57% in CD41⁺ cells, respectively. GFP positive cells have reached up 97.54 % in EC1-4 pMSCV transducted MDA-MB-435 cells. Phosphorylated MEK1 has been decreased in experiment group when TPO has stimulated CD41⁺ and UT7 cells or serum has stimulated U973 cells. This indicates that is a dominant negative effect of mutation MEK gene. EC1-4 gene transduced MDA-MB-435 cells have expressed EC1-4. CONCLUSION:The recombined murine stem cell retrovirus can effectively mediate gene transduction of CD41⁺,UT7,U937 and MDA-MB-435 cells,and transduced genes can be stably expressed.     

ARHI gene inhibits cell growth,induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia cell line U937

AIM: To investigate the expression of aplasia rashomolog member I (ARHI) gene in acute myeloid leukemia cells (AML) and to study the effects of ARHI on the growth of AML cell line U937.METHODS: The mRNA expression of ARHI in AML cells, 293FT cells, AML primary cells and healthy volunteer blood cells were detected by RT-PCR. After transfection with the MSCV-IRES-GFP-ARHI plasmid to the U937 cells, the growth curve was analyzed by MTT assay. U937 cells were re-suspended by fresh medium and cultured for 24 h, then the cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rate were determined. RESULTS: The mRNA of ARHI was positively detectable in 293FT cells and healthy volunteer blood cells instead of AML cell line and AML primary cells. The growth curve showed that cell viability in U937 cells with high expression of ARHI (U937-ARHI) was lower than that in the control cells (U937-GFP) on 6th~8th day. The ratio of G₂/M phase and apoptotic rate in the U937-ARHI cells were increased compare with control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mRNA level of ARHI is low in AML cells. High expression of ARHI gene in U937 cells inhibits cell growth, arrests the cells at G₂/M phase and induces apoptosis.     

Effect of over-expression of transcription factor CDX2 on proliferation and cell cycle of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901

AIM: To study the effect and the molecular mechanism of CDX2 over-expression on the proliferation, growth and cell cycle of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. METHODS: The SGC-7901 cells in LV-CDX2-GFP group were transfected with the recombinant lentivirus vector LV-CDX2-GFP, the cells in LV-GFP group were transfected with the negative control lentiviral vector for the negative control, and the cells in blank control group were without any treatment. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of CDX2, Bax, Bcl-2, cyclin D1 and survivin was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Wes-tern blotting. RESULTS: Compared with LV-GFP group and blank control group, the proliferation activity of the SGC-7901 cells was significantly lower (P<0.05), the G0/G1 phase proportion increased (P<0.05), the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, cyclin D1 and survivin were reduced (P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein levels of Bax were up-regulated (P<0.05) in LV-CDX2-GFP group. No statistically significant difference of the above indexes was observed (P>0.05) between LV-GFP group and blank control group. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of CDX2 mediated by lentivirus inhibits the proliferation and growth of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and arrestes the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, which may be related to down-regulation of Bcl-2, cyclin D1 and survivin and up-regulation of Bax.     

GDC-0032 inhibits cell viability and induces DNA damage in U251 human glioma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of phosphatidylinostiol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor GDC-0032 on cell viability, cell cycle and DNA damage in human glioma U251 cells. METHODS: The cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression was examined by Western blot. The expression and localization of γ-H2AX were determined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS: GDC-0032 inhibited the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. U251 cells showed G₁ phase arrest accompanied with upregulation of p27 protein after exposure to GDC-0032, while the expression of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2) was inhibited. GDC-0032 treatment increased the formation of γ-H2AX foci and histone H2AX phosphorylation in the U251 cells. In addition, GDC-0032 upregulated the phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), in the glioma cells, while the expression of survivin was inhibited. CONCLUSION: GDC-0032 inhibits U251 cell growth by inhibition of cell viability and cell cycle progression. GDC-0032 also induces DNA damage of U251 cells. The anticancer activity of GDC-0032 is associated with increasing the activity of ERK and JNK and downregulating the expression of survivin.     

Pim-1 kinase inhibitor SMI-4a inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in U937 cells

AIM: To study the growth-inhibiting and proapoptotic effects of Pim-1 kinase inhibitor SMI-4a on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line U937.METHODS: The effect of SMI-4a on U937 cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-PI staining and by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. Methylcellulose was used to assess colony formation ability of the cells. The expression of β-catenin in the cell cytosol and nucleus was detected by Western blot, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the U937 cells was also examined. Intracellular distribution of β-catenin was detected by the method of immunofluorescence.RESULTS: SMI-4a inhibited the viability of U937 cells. Annexin V-PI staining showed that SMI-4a induced apoptosis in dose-and time-dependent manners. Hoechst 33342 staining also verified the apoptosis. SMI-4a significantly inhibited the colony formation capacity of the U937 cells. The results of Western blot demonstrated that SMI-4a upregulated the expression of PARP and Bax, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and change the distribution of β-catenin in intracellular compartment. Immunofluorescence observation found that SMI-4a decreased the expression level of β-catenin in the U937 cells.CONCLUSION: SMI-4a induces U937 cell apoptosis through regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes.     

Mechanism of elemene enhancing radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells

AIM To investigate the effect of elemene on the radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells and its mechanism. METHODS The U251 cells were used as a glioma model in vitro, and were exposed to different concentrations of elemene and different doses of radiation. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the related protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Elemene inhibited the viability of U251 cells in vitro and enhanced the radiosensitivity of the cells. The cells in radiotherapy combined with elemene group had higher rates of early apoptosis, secondary necrosis and total cell death than those in radiation group. Elemene induced G₂/M phase arrest in the U251 cells. Elemene reduced the protein expression of cell division cycle protein 2 （Cdc2）, which resulted in the decrease in cyclin B1 expression induced by radiotherapy, thereby inhibiting the formation of cyclin B-Cdc2 complex. Elemene reduced Cdc2 activity by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdc2 protein at threonine 161, thereby inducing G₂/M phase arrest in the cells. It also mediated apoptosis by down-regulating survivin expression. CONCLUSION Elemene may increase the sensitivity of U251 cells to radiotherapy by down-regulating Cdc2 protein, decreasing cyclin B1 expression, inhibiting the formation of cylcin B-Cdc2 complex and down-regulating the expression of survivin.     

Enhancement effect of adenovirus mediated antisense c-myc gene and caffeine on chemotherapy of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin

AIM: The cancer biology has showed that overexpression of oncogenes is responsible for the progression of human malignancies,antisense technology can block a certain gene expression.Caffeine has enhancement effect on chemotherapy of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin,we constructed the recombinant adenovirus (Ad-Asc-myc) encoding antisense c-myc fragment and investigated its effect on the in vitro sensitivity of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells to cisplatin.METHODS: The recombinant adenovirus (Ad-Asc-myc) encoding antisense c-myc fragment was constructed by cloning c-myc cDNA of about 750 base pairs in a reverse direction into adenovirus vector.Ad-Asc-myc and caffeine was used respectively or together to co-operate with cisplatin to treat the osteosarcoma MG-63 cells in vitro,and Western blotting,MTT,flow cytometry (FCM),electron microscope were used to evaluate expression of c-Myc protein,tumor cell proliferation in vitro,apoptosis and cell cycle analysis.RESULTS: Ad-Asc-myc was obtained with the titer of 2×10¹² pfu/L.Ad-Asc-myc down-regulated the expression of c-Myc protein,Ad-Asc-myc or caffeine enhanced the effects of 2.0,5.0 mg/L cisplatin on MG-63 cells.Moreover,Ad-Asc-myc combined with caffeine significantly enhanced this effects,not only on cisplatin-induced apoptosis,but also on tumor cells proliferation in vitro.The expression of bcl-2 was downregulated,bax were upregulated,while there was no change in the expression of E2F-1.FCM analysis showed that cisplatin treatment induced a block in S phase,and caffeine reversed this block and speeded up the progression of cells out of the S phase.Ad-Asc-myc induced obvious G₂/M phase arrest in transfected cells.CONCLUSION: Ad-Asc-myc combined with caffeine may enhance apoptosis-induced and chemotherapy effects of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells to cisplatin.     

Inhibition of proliferation and influence of proto-oncogenes expression by Tanshinone ⅡA in U251 cells

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tanshinone ⅡA on U251 glioma cell line and its mechanism. METHODS: MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation in U251 cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at different concentrations. The effects of Tanshinone ⅡA on cell cycle of U251 were observed by FCM. The expression of proto-oncogene c-myc was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferation of U251 was obviously inhibited by Tanshinone ⅡA in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory rate came to the peak at (54.2±0.9)%, when cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at 0.10 g/L. The outcome of FCM showed that the proportion of G₀/G₁ phase cells was increased and the proportion of S phase cells was reduced obviously, when cultured with Tanshinone ⅡA at 0.10 g/L for 3 days. The RT-PCR experiment showed that the expression of proto-oncogene c-myc was notably decreased, when the dose of Tanshinone ⅡA was increased. CONCLUSION: Tanshinone ⅡA inhibited the proliferation of U251 and the expression of proto-oncogene c-myc.     

Inhibitory effect of antisense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc on rat airway smooth muscle cells

AIM: To observe the inhibitory effect of antisense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc on rat airway smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Antisense and sense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc pcDNA3-myc-antisense and pcDNA3-myc-sense were constructed. Lipofectin was used to introduce antisense and sense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc into rat. The inhibitory effect was assayed by MTT cell proliferation assay. Cell cycles were detected by flow cytometry technology. The expression of c-Myc was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The results showed that antisense eukaryotic expression vector for c-myc inhibited rat airway smooth muscle cells proliferation. Rat airway smooth muscle cells were prohibited in S phase and the expression of c-Myc was decreased after antisense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc were transfected into cells. CONCLUSION: Antisense eukaryotic expression vectors for c-myc inhibit rat airway smooth muscle cell proliferation.     

STC-1 mediates proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through Bcl-2

AIM To investigate the effect of stanniocalcin-1 （STC-1） on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer AGS cells and the role of Bcl-2 in these processes. METHODS The AGS cells were transfected with the plasmids for STC-1 knockdown or over-expression. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and colony formation assay. The migration ability was detected by scratch assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The protein expression of Bcl-2, survivin, caspase-3 and cleared caspase-3 was determined by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of STC-1 and Bcl-2 in 20 cases of clinical gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, and the correlation between them was analyzed by Pearson method. RESULTS After over-expression of STC-1, the proliferation and migration abilities of the AGS cells were increased, the expression of Bcl-2 and survivin was increased, while the expression of caspase-3 and cleared caspase-3 was decreased （P<0.05）. After knockdown of STC-1, the proliferation and migration abilities of the AGS cells were decreased, the expression of Bcl-2 and survivin was decreased, while the expression of caspase-3 and cleared caspase-3 was increased （P<0.05）. The mRNA expression levels of STC-1 and Bcl-2 in the gastric cancer tissues were higher than those in the adjacent tissues. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between STC-1 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in the cancer tissues （r=0.308, P=0.011）. CONCLUSION STC-1 may regulate the biological function of gastric cancer cells by altering the expression level of Bcl-2.     

Inhibition of c-Myc by 10058-F4 overcomes imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia cells

AIM：To investigate the effect of c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4 on human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells and imatinib-resistant K562/G cells. METHODS：The protein expression of c-Myc was detected by Western blotting. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and colony formation assay. PI staining was used to determine the cell cycle distribution. Annexin V-PI staining was applied for apoptosis detection. RESULTS：Imatinib-resistant K562/G cells displayed lower sensitivity to imatinib than K562 cells with high expression of c-Myc. Treatment with specific c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4 inhibited the cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and K562/G displayed more sensitivity to 10058-F4 than K562 cells. 10058-F4 also induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and induced apoptotic cell death in the 2 cells. Importantly, 10058-F4 suppressed the colony formation ability in K562 and K562/G cells. CONCLUSION：c-Myc is a novel target to overcome imatinib-induced drug resistance, and c-Myc inhibitor provides a new approach in CML therapy.     

Effect of NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on proliferation and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma U266 cells

AIM:To explore the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC),an NF-κB inhibitor,on the proliferation and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma U266 cells and its mechanisms.METHODS:The U266 cells were treated with PDTC at different concentrations (0,25,50,100 and 200 μmol/L)in vitro.The growth inhibitory rate of the U266 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay and cell counting.The cell cycle of the U266 cells was determined by flow cyto-metry,and the apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining.The effect of PDTC on the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1) at mRNA and protein levels was measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.The effects of PDTC on the protein levels of NF-κB (P65),DNMT1,Bcl-2,cyclin D1,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The protein level of NF-κB (P65) was decreased after treatment with PDTC for 48 h or 72 h.PDTC inhibited the proliferation of U266 cells in both dose-and time-dependent manners.After treatment with PDTC for 48 h,the percentage of U266 cells in G₂ phase increased compared with control group (P<0.05).PDTC induced the apoptosis of U266 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The expression of DNMT1 at mRNA and protein levels decreased (P<0.05).The results of Western blot showed that the expression of Bcl-2 in PDTC groups decreased,while the protein levels of cyclin D1,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 were higher than those in control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The NF-κB inhibitor PDTC inhibits the proliferation of U266 cells by inducing cell apoptosis.It may be related to the down-regulated expression of DNMT1,cell cycle arrest and activation of the apoptotic pathways.     

Effect of EZH2 regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on apoptosis of brain glioma cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the apoptosis of brain glioma cell lines. METHODS: The expression level of EZH2 in glioma cell lines U87, H4 and U251 and normal human astrocytes (NHA) was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The EZH2 siRNA and siRNA control were transfected into the H4 cells. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Caspase-3 activity was detected by spectrophotometry. The expression levels of the key protein β-catenin of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the downstream target molecule c-Myc were determined by Western blot. After the H4 cells transfected with EZH2 siRNA were treated with an activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry, and the expression of β-catenin and c-Myc was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of EZH2 in the glioma cell lines U87, H4 and U251 were significantly higher than those in NHA (P<0.05). The expression of EZH2 at mRNA and protein levels in the H4 cells was higher than that in U87 cells and U251 cells (P<0.05). EZH2 siRNA obviously inhibited the expression of EZH2 at mRNA and protein levels in the H4 cells. Knockdown of EZH2 expression decreased the viability of H4 cells, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased, and the activity of caspase-3 was significantly increased in the cells (P<0.05). Knockdown of EZH2 expression also inhibited the expression of β-catenin and c-Myc. The activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway reduced the apoptosis rate of H4 cells induced by down-regulation of EZH2, and reduced the activity of caspase-3 in the cells. CONCLUSION: EZH2 is over-expressed in glioma cells. Down-regulation of EZH2 expression induces apoptosis of glioma cells by inhibiting the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to radiotherapy

AIM: To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the viability of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 and the sensitivity to radiotherapy. METHODS: MTT assay was used to examine the cell viability. Radio-sensitivity and cell cycle were determined by colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and NF-κB in the cells were measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: ATRA inhibited the viability of SGC-7901 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition was at concentration of 8 μmol/L. Colony formation assay revealed that the combination of ATRA with X-ray treatment significantly reduced the values of D0 and Dq, and shifted down the fitting survival curve, as compared with radiotherapy alone. Moreover, ATAR markedly decreased the percentage of G₂/M phase in the SGC-7901 cells (P<0.05). In addition, following ATRA treatment, the mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and survivin were decreased (P<0.05), whereas the mRNA levels of Bax and NF-κB were increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ATRA enhances the sensitivity of SGC-7901 cells to radiotherapy, inhibits G₂/M arrest and regulates the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and NF-κB.     

Glucosylceramide synthase upregulates apoptosis-related gene bcl-2 expression via MEK/ERK signaling pathway in leukemia multidrug-resis-tant cell line

AIM: To investigate whether glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) regulates apoptosis-related gene bcl-2 expression via MEK/ERK signaling pathway, thus enhancing drug resistance of K562/A02 human leukemia multidrug resistant cell line. METHODS: siRNA targeting GCS was transfected into K562/A02 cells. Bcl-2, p-ERK and total ERK expression at mRNA and protein levels after GCS knockdown were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. After exposed to MEK-ERK pathway inhibitor U0126, the expression of Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels also was analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The viability of the cells was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: The expression of GCS and Bcl-2, as well as MEK/ERK signaling were significantly inhibited in K562/A02 cells by GCS siRNA transfection compared with negative control group. Inactivation of MEK/ERK signaling due to U0126 treatment decreased Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels in a concentration-dependent manner, and sensitized K562/A02 cells to adriamycin. CONCLUSION: GCS may affect the expression of apoptosis-related gene bcl-2 by MEK/ERK signaling pathway, thus regulating multidrug resistance of human leukemia K562/A02 cells.