Nodosin通过Apaf-1和caspase-3诱导HepG2细胞凋亡

目的:研究传统中药提取物nodosin对人肝细胞癌Hep G2细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法:将nodosin设置为1. 25μmol/L、2. 5μmol/L、5μmol/L、10μmol/L和20μmol/L不同浓度组,作用于Hep G2细胞24 h后,用Hoechst 33258染色和电镜观察不同浓度的药物对细胞形态学的影响,用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,用RT-qPCR检测凋亡蛋白酶激活因子1 (Apaf-1) mRNA的表达,用Western blot检测caspase-3及其前体和活化体的蛋白水平。结果:形态学结果显示,随着用药剂量的增加,细胞皱缩和细胞核偏移越明显,凋亡小体在5μmol/L、10μmol/L和20μmol/L剂量组明显增多。Apaf-1 mRNA的表达增加,caspase-3及其前体的表达和cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平随着用药剂量的增加逐渐增加(P 0. 01)。结论:Nodosin能够诱导Hep G2细胞凋亡。该作用可能是通过增加Apaf-1 mRNA的表达继之激活caspase-3实现的。

Nodosin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells by increasing Apaf-1 expression and activating caspase-3

AIM:To investigate the effects of nodosin on apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. METHODS:HepG2 cells were treated with nodosin at different concentrations (1.25 μmol/L, 2.5 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L) for 24 h. The morphological changes of the HepG2 cells were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and electron microscopy. The apoptotic rates were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of pro-caspase-3, caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:HepG2 cells showed obvious cell shrinkage and nucleus drift when treated with nodosin as the concentration was increased. Many apoptotic bodies were observed in 5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L nodosin groups. The mRNA expression of Apaf-1 was increased in 5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L nodosin groups as compared with control group (P<0.05). The protein levels of pro-caspase-3, caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were increased with the increasing dose of nodosin (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Nodosin induces the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. This effect was related to increasing Apaf-1 mRNA expression and subsequently promoting the activation of caspase-3.