Enhancement of radiation-induced apoptosis in raji cell line by Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide

Objective: To investigate whether the Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) may enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in Raji cell line. Methods: Cell surviving fraction was determined using the trypan blue dye exclusion assay. The expression level of Bcl-2 protein was assayed by immunofluorescence using fluoresce isothiocyanate label. Apoptosis was detected by Giemsa staining and flow cytomertric cell cycle analysis. Results: It was found that Bcl-2 ASODN combined with radiation had significantly reduced the number of viable cells (P<0.05). There was no difference on cell survival between mismatch Bcl-2 oligodeoxynucleotide/radiation combination and radiation-treated cells alone. Bcl-2 ASODN combined with radiation could significantly inhibit expression of Bcl-2 protein in Raji cells (P<0.05). Cells treated with Bcl-2 ASODN combined with radiation at 72 h displayed classic apoptotic changes. Apoptosis rates of Raji cells treated with Bcl-2 oligodeoxynucleotide/radiation combination and radiation-treated cells alone, respectively. Conclusion: Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide can enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in Raji cell line. Foundation item: this work was supported by the grants from The Natural Science Program Foundation of Gaungdong Province(No.021195); and The Guangzhou City Key Foundation of Science and Technology Program (No.2001-Z-037-01). Biography: HE Dong-mei(1968–), female, doctor of medicine, associate professor, Jinan University Medical College, majors in gene diagnosis and therapy of leukemia.