Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate Inhibits NF- κB Activation and Enhance TNFα- Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor α(TNFα) induced apoptosis is limited by its coactivation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF- κB) -dependent antiapoptosis genes. We examined whether pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) enhance TNFα - induced apoptosis in cultured breast cancer cells and explored the role of NF - κB in TNFα - induced apoptosis. Methods: Human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA - MB -435s were treated with TNFα、 PDTC and combination therapy . Induction of apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. NF- κB DNA binding activity was detected using electrophoresis mobility shift assay(EMSA) . Western blots of cytoplasmic lysates were performed to demonstrate IκBα (Inhibitor protein of nuclear factor κB) phosphorylation and degradation. Results:TNFα-induced IκBo phosphorylation and degradation, which was inhibited by PDTC in both cell lines. TNFα-induced apoptosis (TUNEL) increased significantly when both cells were pretreated with PDTC. Flow cytometry also confirmed this. EMSA showed that PDTC continuously inhibited TNFo-induced NF- κB DNA binding activity . Conclusions:PDTC enhances TNFo-induced apoptosis whileinhibiting IκBα phosphorylation and degradation in human breast cancer cells. NF - κB has a protective role on TNFα-induced apoptosis.