Sanguinarine Induces Bimodal Cell Death in K562 but not in High Bcl-2-expressing JM1 Cells

Our previous studies with low Bcl-2-expressing K562 cells have shown that, when treated with the putative anti-cancer drug sanguinarine, concentrations of 1.5 microg/ml induced the morphology of apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD), while concentrations of 12.5 microg/ml induced a morphology of blister formation or blister cell death (BCD). To elucidate the possible role of Bcl-2 in this dual cell death modality induced by sanguinarine, K562 and the high Bcl-2-expressing JM1 cells were treated with sanguinarine concentrations of 1.5 microg/ml and 12.5 microg/ml respectively, and multiple parameters of their effects were studied using light and electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) end-labeling, 51Cr release, trypan blue exclusion, propidium iodide exclusion, and annexin-V binding. In general, we found that, while K562 cells underwent PCD and BCD when treated with sanguinarine, JM1 cells failed to undergo either PCD or BCD under the same experimental conditions. Thus, the over-expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 may have prevented sanguinarine from inducing PCD and BCD in JM1 cells. These results indicate that the resistance of JM1 cells to the alkaloid sanguinarine may have been due to an anti-BCD role played by Bcl-2, in addition to its widely reported anti-apoptotic role.     

胃癌多药耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU的建立及其耐药机制的研究

目的：建立5-氟尿嘧啶（5-FU）诱导的胃癌多药耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU，探讨凋亡相关蛋白Survivin、Bcl-2、Bax及caspase-3与其耐药性产生的关系。 方法:采用反复短期暴露并逐渐增加5-FU浓度的方法建立胃癌耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU，MTT法检测此耐药细胞株对5-FU的耐药倍数及其对临床常用化疗药物阿霉素、丝裂霉素和顺铂的交叉耐药性，流式细胞术检测细胞P-糖蛋白的表达和柔红霉素积累量；Western blotting法检测耐药胃癌细胞株BGC823/5-FU与其亲代药物敏感胃癌细胞株BGC823凋亡相关蛋白Survivin、Bcl-2、Bax及caspase-3的表达。 结果:成功诱导出胃癌多药耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU，较其亲代细胞BGC823对5-FU、阿霉素、丝裂霉素和顺铂的耐药性分别提高10.82、2.50、22.23和2.00倍。其P-糖蛋白表达较BGC823细胞增高（P<0.01），柔红霉素积累量较BGC823细胞减低（P<0.01）。与亲代药物敏感BGC823细胞相比，耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU细胞Survivin表达上升（P<0.05），Bcl-2表达升高（P<0.05），Bax表达下降（P<0.05），caspase-3表达减低（P<0.05）。结论:胃癌细胞株BGC823在5-FU的诱导下可形成多药耐药细胞株BGC823/5-FU，P-糖蛋白、凋亡相关蛋白Survivin、Bcl-2、Bax及caspase-3可能参与其耐药性的形成。     

Bax, Bcl-2, and NF-kappaB expression in sanguinarine induced bimodal cell death

The apoptosis related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, and NF-kappaB were analyzed in sanguinarine induced apoptosis and blister cell death (BCD) of K562 erythroleukemia cells and in sanguinarine treated high Bcl-2 expressing JM1 pre-B lymphoblastic cells, utilizing immunofluorescence-flow cytometry. Sanguinarine induced apoptosis of K562 cells was found to have increased Bax expression and decreased NF-kappaB, whereas BCD showed a decrease in Bax expression and an increase in NF-kappaB. In contrast, high Bcl-2 expressing JM1 cells, when exposed to the same concentrations (and duration) of sanguinarine that induced PCD and BCD in K562 cells, failed to show the respective morphologies while showing a concomitant increase in Bcl-2. Results from studies with K562 cells suggest that Bax is pro-apoptotic and also that NF-kappaB activation may be associated with BCD. Results from studies with JM1 cells suggest that Bcl-2 is anti-apoptotic and anti-BCD. Results from JM1 cells strengthen the assumption in the literature of the central role Bcl-2 plays in chemoresistance by assuming an anti-PCD role. These results also suggest that, in JM1 cells, Bcl-2 may further complicate chemoresistance by being anti-BCD in nature, in addition to its anti-PCD role.     

高三尖杉酯碱白血病多药耐药细胞系K562/HHT的诱导及米非司酮逆转耐药的研究

目的: 研究高三尖杉酯碱（HHT）诱导的白血病多药耐药细胞株耐药机制以及米非司酮(RU486)逆转其耐药效应。方法：采用反复短期暴露并逐渐增加HHT浓度的方法建立白血病多药耐药细胞系K562/HHT，MTT法检测K562/HHT细胞对化疗药物的敏感性及RU486对该细胞的细胞毒效应，RT-PCR法检测细胞MDR1基因、葡萄糖神经酰胺合成酶（GCS）基因的表达，流式细胞术检测细胞P-糖蛋白的表达和柔红霉素积累量，免疫组化法检测细胞Bcl-2、Bax、caspase-3的表达状况。结果： 成功诱导出多药耐药细胞系K562/HHT，K562/HHT较其亲代细胞K562对HHT、阿霉素、长春新碱、依托泊苷的耐药性分别提高462.6、2.8、1 183.4、2.6倍，K562/HHT细胞MDR1基因、GCS基因、P-糖蛋白和Bcl-2/Bax比值明显高于K562细胞（P<0.05），caspase-3表达、柔红霉素积累量明显低于K562细胞（P<0.05）。10 μmol/L的RU486对K562/HHT细胞无明显杀伤（存活率94.67%±2.48%），该浓度RU486可不同程度地逆转K562/HHT细胞对上述化疗药物的耐药性，RU486作用后K562/HHT细胞caspase-3表达、柔红霉素积累量明显高于作用前（P<0.05），Bcl-2/Bax比值明显低于作用前（P<0.05）。结论： 白血病细胞系K562在HHT的作用下可形成多药耐药细胞系K562/HHT，其耐药性的形成与P-糖蛋白、GCS、Bcl-2/Bax比值及caspase-3等机制有关，RU486可通过提高细胞内药物积累、调节Bcl-2/Bax比值和caspase-3的表达逆转此细胞的耐药性。     

A model for cardiomyocyte cell death: Insights into mechanisms of oncosis

It is now known that there are at least two basic patterns of cell injury progressing to cell death: cell injury with swelling, known as oncosis, and cell injury with shrinkage, known as apoptosis. Both types of cell death are “programmed” in the sense that the genetic information and many of the enzymes and other factors pre-exist in the cell. Previous investigation has pointed to cardiomyocyte ischemic injury evolving as the oncotic pattern of injury, although apoptosis has also been implicated. This study was designed, using a unique cell model system, to gain insight into the molecular events of anticancer agent-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Cardiomyocytes exposed for 2 h to 1.5 μg/ml sanguinarine consistently displayed the morphology of apoptosis in over 80% of cells, whereas a higher dose of 25 μg/ml at 2 h yielded the pattern of oncosis in over 90% of cells. Microarray analysis revealed altered expression of 2514 probes in sanguinarine-induced oncosis and 1643 probes in apoptosis at a level of significance of p < 0.001. Some of the inductions such as perforin were found to be higher than 11-fold in oncosis. When perforin was blocked by perforin-specific siRNA we found a reduction in oncotic cell death. These results strengthen the notion that oncosis is not representative of nonspecific necrosis, but constitutes a genetically controlled form of “programmed cell death”; and also that oncosis might represent a pathogenetic mechanism of cardiomyocyte injury. This is also the first demonstration of the involvement of perforin in cardiomyocyte oncosis.     

吗啡对人鼻咽癌CNE-2细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的 探讨吗啡对人鼻咽癌CNE-2细胞增殖与凋亡的影响及可能的机制.方法 以含0.1、1、10、100、1000mg/L吗啡的培养液作用于体外培养的鼻咽癌CNE-2细胞,等体积培养基作为对照组.MTT法检测吗啡作用24、48和72 h的细胞增殖抑制率,并在不同浓度吗啡作用细胞48 h后,用Hoechst33258荧光染色、流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,Western免疫印迹检测Bc1-2、Bax和caspase-3、cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达.结果 相同作用时间点0.1～100 mg/L吗啡并不影响CNE-2细胞的增殖.而在1000 mg/L吗啡作用下细胞增殖受到明显的抑制,在24、48、72 h CNE-2细胞增殖抑制率随作用时间延长而增加,分别达到(15.0±4.4)%、(30.7±4.9)%和(50.0±4.4)%.48 h后,荧光显微镜下对照组CNE-2细胞未见明显凋亡,0.1～100mg/L吗啡组仅见少量凋亡,而在1000mg/L吗啡组,可见到大量细胞出现典型的凋亡形态学改变.流式细胞仪检测结果显示0.1～100 mg/L吗啡组细胞凋亡率与对照组差异并无统计学意义(P>0.05),而1000mg/L吗啡组细胞凋亡率则明显增加[(39.33±6.03)%比(9.36±1.57)%,P<0.05].Western免疫印迹检测显示在1000 mg/L吗啡作用CNE-2细胞48 h后,Bcl-2蛋白的表达量较对照组明显下降,Bax表达增多,caspase-3活性升高,cleaved-caspase-3表达增多.而其他浓度作用下CNE-2细胞Bcl-2、Bax和caspase-3、cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达未见明显变化.结论 大剂量吗啡可诱导鼻咽癌CNE-2细胞的凋亡,其机制可能与吗啡上调CNE-2细胞Bax蛋白表达,下调其Bcl-2蛋白表达,引起caspase-3活化有关.     

沉默miR-21对子宫内膜癌顺铂耐药细胞株Ishikawa/DDP的影响

目的:观察沉默miR-21对子宫内膜癌顺铂耐药细胞株Ishikawa/DDP的影响.方法:以Lipofectamine 2000介导miR-21抑制剂转染Ishikawa/DDP细胞株,同时设置阴性组和耐药组.采用反转录PCR检测miR-21、多药耐药基因MDR1、促凋亡基因Bax和抗凋亡基因Bcl-2的表达.采用蛋白印迹法检测多药耐药蛋白P-gp、促凋亡蛋白Bax和抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达.采用噻唑蓝比色法检测细胞对顺铂的敏感性.采用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况.结果:与耐药组和阴性组比较,抑制剂组miR-21,MDR1和Bcl-2 mRNA表达显著下调(P＜0.0l),而Bax mRAN表达显著上调(P＜0.00l);抑制剂组P-gp和Bcl-2蛋白表达显著低下调(p＜0.05),而Bax蛋白表达显著上调(P＜0.001).与耐药组和阴性组比较,顺铂对抑制剂组的IC50值显著(P＜0.001);顺铂对抑制剂组细胞的诱导凋亡率显著增加(P＜0.00l).结论:沉默miR-21可显著提高Ishikawa/DDP细胞株对顺铂的敏感性,并促进细胞凋亡,其具体机制可能与下调MDR1,P-gp和Bcl-2表达,以及上调Bax表达有关.     

频率对拉伸应变诱导成骨细胞凋亡的影响

目的考察频率对拉伸应变诱导成骨细胞凋亡的影响。方法采用Flexcell力学加载系统对小鼠前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1施加1%双轴拉伸应变刺激,频率分别为1、2、3、4、5 Hz,每天加载1 h,间歇性拉伸8 d;通过测定乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性检测细胞死亡率;采用Annexin V-FITC/PI流式细胞术观察细胞凋亡情况;实时PCR检测细胞凋亡标志基因caspase-3、-9以及Bcl-2、Bax基因水平;Western blotting检测caspase-3、-9蛋白表达。结果不同加载频率对成骨细胞LDH活性无影响;不同频率下流式细胞术总体凋亡率无显著性差异,但是2 Hz频率可诱导成骨细胞早期凋亡。2 Hz拉伸应变可明显上调caspase-3、-9基因和蛋白表达,上调Bax/Bcl2蛋白比值。结论 1%双轴拉伸应变刺激下1~5 Hz频率不能引起成骨细胞凋亡和死亡,但2 Hz频率可诱导成骨细胞早期凋亡,且通过上调Bax/Bcl-2表达实现的。     

Estrogen modulates Bcl-2 family protein expression in the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area of postnatal rats

In the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) of postnatal rats, apoptotic cells are detected more frequently in females than males. This sex difference is under the influence of aromatized androgen. We have reported that there are sex differences in the levels of Bcl-2 (femalemale) in the central division of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNc), a significant component of the SDN-POA, followed by a sex difference in induction of apoptosis via caspase-3 activation (female>male). In the present study, we examined effects of estradiol benzoate (EB) on expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the MPNc. Female rats were subcutaneously injected with EB (25 or 50 microg per head) on postnatal day 5. MPNc and caudate putamen (CP) tissues were obtained from EB-treated female and male rats on postnatal day 6. Protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blotting. In the MPNc of female rats, EB at a dose of 50 microg/head but not 25 microg/head significantly increased Bcl-2 protein level and decreased Bax protein level. The levels of Bcl-2 and Bax of female rats treated with 50 microg of EB were comparable to those of male rats. However, the protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in the CP did not change with EB treatment. These results suggest that estrogen up-regulates Bcl-2 expression and down-regulates Bax expression in the MPNc of postnatal rats. Effects of estrogen on the Bcl-2 family are presumably responsible for sex difference in postnatal apoptosis of the SDN-POA.     

The cell death of C6 astrocytoma cells induced by oridonin and its mechanism

Many studies have shown that oridonin, a compound purified from Rabdosia rubescens, was able to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in many cell types. In this study, In order to investigate the proliferation suppression and apoptosis-inducing effect of oridonin on Rat C6 astrocytoma cells, we treated C6 cells with different concentrations of oridonin for various time intervals. Oridonin concentration-time viability curve were used to test the effect of oridonin on the C6 cells. The distribution of cell cycle and percentage of apoptosis cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in the C6 cells was detected by western blot analysis. The results of viability curve demonstrated that oridonin induced suppression of proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Hochest 33258 staining and flow cytometry revealed that oridonin induced apoptosis and arrested the entry into G2/M phase of C6 cells. According to the results of Western blot, oridonin down-regulated Bcl-2, up-regulated Bax protein, and activated caspase-3 in the oridonin-treated C6 cells. All together, our results suggested that oridonin can cause the suppression of proliferation in C6 astrocytoma cells and the cell death induced by oridonin might be associated with mitochondria- mediated apoptosis by activating caspase-3.     

人参皂苷Rh2对人骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡的影响

目的:探讨人参皂苷Rh2对人骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡的影响,并初步探讨可能的分子机制。方法:采用流式细胞术Annexin V-PI双染法和MTT法检测MG-63细胞的凋亡变化;免疫印迹法检测Bcl-2、Bax、Cyt C和激活型caspase-3的蛋白水平。结果:流式细胞术和MTT法结果显示人参皂苷Rh2呈浓度依赖性促进MG-63细胞的凋亡。免疫印迹法结果表明,与空白对照组相比,给药组细胞Bax的蛋白表达显著增加,Bcl-2的蛋白表达显著减少,Bcl-2/Bax比值减少;线粒体中Cyt C蛋白表达显著减少,而胞浆中表达显著增加;激活型caspase-3蛋白水平显著增加(P0.05)。结论:人参皂苷Rh2呈浓度依赖性促进MG-63细胞的凋亡,其凋亡过程可能与调控线粒体凋亡通路相关蛋白有关。     

Evaluating the activity of the apoptosis-regulating genes from Bcl-2, Bax expression, and caspase-3 activity in bronchial epithelial cells in patients with asthma

The specific features of bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in asthma were studied, by evaluating the activity of the apoptosis-regulating genes Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3. Fibrobronchoscopy with target biopsy of the bronchial mucosa was carried out in 21 asthmatic patients (the latter had given informed consent). The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and CPP32 (caspase-3 activity) was determined in the bronchial epithelial cells by the immunohistochemical technique using the DAKO kits. Allergic asthma is characterized by higher Bcl-2 and lower Bax expression than non-allergic asthma and in patients receiving systemic glucocorticosteroids. The similar nature of changes was found in the analysis of the Bcl2/Bax ratio. Regardless of the type of asthma, the expression of caspase-3 was rather high. The specific features of impaired bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in different types of asthma can determine the pathogenetic value of apoptotic disorders in the persistence of allergic inflammation.     

Apoptosis in acute shigellosis is associated with increased production of Fas/Fas ligand,perforin, caspase-1, and caspase-3 but reduced production of Bcl-2 and interleukin-2

Shigella dysenteriae type 1-induced apoptotic cell death in rectal tissues from patients infected with Shigella dysenteriae type 1 was studied by the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique and annexin V staining. Expression of proteins and cytokines participating in the apoptotic process (caspase-1, caspase-3, Fas [CD95], Fas ligand [Fas-L], perforin, granzyme A, Bax, WAF-1, Bcl-2, interleukin-2 [IL-2], IL-18, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) in tissue in the acute and convalescent stages of dysentery was quantified at the single-cell level by in situ immunostaining. Apoptotic cell death in the lamina propria was markedly up-regulated at the acute stage (P < 0.05), where an increased number of necrotic cells were also seen. Phenotypic analysis of apoptotic cells revealed that 43% of T cells (CD3), 10% of granulocytes (CD15), and 5% of macrophages (CD56) underwent apoptosis. Increased activity of caspase-1 persisted in the rectum up to 1 month after onset. More-extensive expression of Fas, Fas-L, perforin, caspase-3, and IL-18, but not IL-2, at the acute stage than at the convalescent stage was observed. Increased expression of caspase-3 and IL-18 in tissues with severe inflammation compared to expression in those with mild inflammation was evident, implying a possible role in the perpetuation of inflammation. Significantly reduced cell death during convalescence was associated with a significant up-regulation of Bcl-2, Bax, and WAF-1 expression in the rectum compared to that in the acute phase of infection. Thus, induction of apoptosis at the local site in the early phase of S. dysenteriae type 1 infection was associated with a significant up-regulation of Fas/Fas-L and perforin and granzyme A expression and a down-regulation of Bcl-2 and IL-2, which promote cell survival.     

Aurintricarboxylic acid inhibits protein synthesis independent, sanguinarine-induced apoptosis and oncosis

Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, has anticancer potential through induction of cell death. We previously demonstrated that sanguinarine treatment at a low concentration (1.5 microg/ml) induced apoptosis in K562 human erythroleukemia cells, and a high concentration (12.5 microg/ml) induced the morphology of blister formation or oncosis-blister cell death (BCD). Treatment of cells at an intermediate sanguinarine concentration (6.25 microg/ml) induced diffuse swelling or oncosis-diffuse cell swelling (DCS). To assess the underlying mechanism of sanguinarine-induced apoptosis and oncosis-BCD in K562 cells, we studied their response to pre-treatment with two chemical compounds: aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) and cycloheximide (CHX). The pretreatment effects of both chemical compounds on apoptosis and oncosis-BCD were evaluated by measuring multiple parameters using quantitative morphology, electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) end-labeling and annexin-V-binding. ATA, a DNA endonuclease inhibitor, efficiently prevented DNA nicking and inhibited apoptosis almost completely and oncosis-BCD by about 40%, while CHX, a protein synthesis inhibitor, failed to inhibit both apoptosis and oncosis-BCD. These results demonstrate, first, the importance of endonuclease in sanguinarine-induced apoptosis and to some extent in oncosis-BCD and, second, that this inhibition does not require de novo protein synthesis.     

盐霉素抑制人肺腺癌耐顺铂细胞株A549/DDP增殖及诱导凋亡的机制

目的: 探讨盐霉素对人肺腺癌耐药细胞株A549/DDP增殖的抑制作用及其可能机制。方法: 采用MTT法检测盐霉素对A549/DDP细胞生长的抑制作用;流式细胞术检测盐霉素对A549/DDP细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位(ΔΨ_m)的影响;比色法检测caspase-3、8和9活性;Western blotting分析细胞色素C、Bcl-2、Bax、β-catenin和磷酸化低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白6(p-LRP6)蛋白水平。结果: 盐霉素对A549/DDP细胞生长具有剂量依赖性抑制作用。0.2 μmol/L盐霉素作用于A549/DDP细胞,ΔΨ_m显著下降,而细胞内活性氧和Ca²⁺浓度在短期显著升高,胞浆细胞色素C蛋白水平、caspase-3、8和9酶活性均显著增加,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);Bcl- 2 的表达下调,Bax 的表达明显增加,Bcl-2/Bax 比值显著降低。48 h时增殖抑制率为(34.61±1.97)%,细胞凋亡率为(18.74±2.08)%。盐霉素也减少A549/DDP细胞内β-catenin和p-LRP6蛋白水平。结论: 盐霉素通过抑制Wnt信号通路抑制A549/DDP细胞增殖,通过Bcl-2/Bax途径和线粒体凋亡途径诱导人肺腺癌耐药细胞株A549/DDP凋亡。     

TRAIL-induced apoptosis requires Bax-dependent mitochondrial release of Smac/DIABLO.

Recent reports suggest that a cross-talk exists between apoptosis pathways mediated by mitochondria and cell death receptors. In the present study, we report that mitochondrial events are required for apoptosis induced by the cell death ligand TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) in human cancer cells. We show that the Bax null cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Bax deficiency has no effect on TRAIL-induced caspase-8 activation and subsequent cleavage of Bid; however, it results in an incomplete caspase-3 processing because of inhibition by XIAP. Release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria through the TRAIL-caspase-8-tBid-Bax cascade is required to remove the inhibitory effect of XIAP and allow apoptosis to proceed. Inhibition of caspase-9 activity has no effect on TRAIL-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death, whereas expression of the active form of Smac/DIABLO in the cytosol is sufficient to reconstitute TRAIL sensitivity in Bax-deficient cells. Our results show for the first time that Bax-dependent release of Smac/DIABLO, not cytochrome c, from mitochondria mediates the contribution of the mitochondrial pathway to death receptor-mediated apoptosis.     

Human herpesvirus 6A induces apoptosis of HSB-2 cells via a mitochondrion-related caspase pathway

Apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral infections. In this study, we investigated the cell death processes during productive HHV-6A infection and the underlying mechanisms. Annexin V-PI staining and electron microscopy indicated that HHV-6A is a strong inducer of apoptosis. HHV-6A infection decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential and led to morphological changes of mitochondria. The cell death was associated with activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of DNA repair enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is known to be an important substrate for activated caspase-3. Caspase-9 was activated significantly in HHV-6A-infected cells, whereas caspase-8 was not activated obviously. Moreover, HHV-6A infection upregulated Bax and downregulated Bcl-2. This is the first demonstration of mitochondrion-mediated, caspase-dependent apoptosis in HHV-6A-infected cells.     

人参皂苷Rh4诱导肝癌细胞HepG2的凋亡及分子机制

目的:探讨人参皂苷Rh4对人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的作用及机制。方法:采用MTT比色法测定不同浓度(10、20和40μmol/L)人参皂苷Rh4对人肝癌HepG2细胞活力的抑制作用;用流式细胞术检测定细胞凋亡率;通过Hoechst 33258和TUNEL染色观察人参皂苷Rh4诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的形态学变化;Western blot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3和caspase-9的表达情况。结果:人参皂苷Rh4能够明显促进人肝癌HepG2细胞的凋亡,且呈剂量依赖性;TUNEL和Hoechst 33258染色实验结果表明,人参皂苷Rh4作用24 h后,细胞呈现明显皱缩、肿胀、破裂等凋亡形态;Western blot分析结果表明,随着人参皂苷Rh4给药浓度的增加,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达量逐渐下降,而促凋亡蛋白Bax、cleaved caspase-3和caspase-9的表达逐渐升高。结论:人参皂苷Rh4可诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与下调Bcl-2以及上调Bax、cleaved caspase-3和caspase-9蛋白表达有关。     

Hypoxia-induced renal epithelial cell death through caspase-dependent pathway: role of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax in tubular injury

Although injury of epithelial cells has been reported to be responsible for renal disease such as acute renal failure, its molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. As hypoxia has been postulated as the initial trigger of epithelial injury, we studied the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induced by hypoxia in human renal epithelial cells. Severe hypoxia caused epithelial cell death, accompanied by a significant increase in LDH release (p<0.01). In addition, hypoxic treatment of epithelial cells resulted in a significant increase in apoptotic cells as assessed by cell morphology (p<0.01). The apoptotic change in epithelial cells under hypoxic condition was also confirmed by a significant increase in caspase-3-like activity and release of cytochrome c (p<0.01). The decrease in epithelial cell number was completely abolished by addition of a wide-spectrum caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD, rather than Z-DEVD, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor (p<0.01). Thus, we further studied the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induced by hypoxia. Anti-apoptotic factors, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, were significantly decreased in epithelial cells under a hypoxic condition as assessed by Western blotting (p<0.01). In contrast, hypoxia did not alter their location. Of particular importance, translocation of a proapoptotic factor, Bax, from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial membrane was observed in response to hypoxia, whereas total Bax protein was not changed by hypoxia. Overall, this study demonstrated that hypoxia caused epithelial cell death induced by caspase-3-like activity-dependent apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic mechanisms of hypoxia in epithelial cells largely depend on a significant decrease in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In addition, the present results demonstrate that translocation of Bax from the cytosol to the mitochondrial membrane occurred under hypoxia, thereby leading to pathological tissue destruction.     

扶正解毒通络方对人肝癌HepG2 细胞增殖、凋亡的影响及其作用机制研究

目的:探讨扶正解毒通络方对人肝癌HepG2 细胞增殖、凋亡的影响及其机制。方法:MTT 法观察细胞增殖能 力;RT鄄PCR 检测细胞内Bax 和Bcl鄄2 mRNA 水平;免疫印迹(Western blot)检测细胞中Bax、Bcl-2、活化的caspase-3、SIRT3、P53 及Fas 蛋白水平。结果:扶正解毒通络方能明显诱导减少HepG2 细胞内Bcl-2 基因转录,增加Bax 基因转录;扶正解毒通络方 能明显诱导减少HepG2 胞内Bcl-2 蛋白表达,增加Bax、活化的caspase-3、SIRT3、P53 及Fas 蛋白表达。结论:与正常对照组比 较,正常血清组人肝癌细胞HepG2 细胞内Bax、Bcl-2、活化的caspase-3、基因及蛋白表达水平无明显改变;与正常血清组比较, 扶正解毒通络方低、中和高剂量含药血清和阳性对照组HepG2 细胞内Bcl鄄2 基因转录减少,蛋白表达减少;Bax 基因转录增 加,蛋白表达增加,活化的caspase鄄3 蛋白表达增加。