Zeylenone promotes apoptosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia-derived K562 cells by a mechanism involving Jak2 and src kinase

OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to investigate anticancer effect of zeylenone(Zey)on K562 cells derived from chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML)both in vitro and in vivo,followed by exploring the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Initially,the effects of Zey on cel viability,proliferation,and apoptosis were measured in K562 cells by MTT,soft agar assay,AO/EB staining,hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometric analysis after they were treated with Zey for indicated time,the involving signaling pathways were then investigated by JC-1,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-q PCR),Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.Furthermore,the in vivo anti-tumoractivity of Zey was assessed with nude xenografts and the involving mechanism was confirmed by immunohistochemical(IHC)and histopathological analysis.RESULTS We identified that Zey dose-dependently decreased cell viability,colony formation and expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen(PCNA),and significantly induced K562 cell apoptosis via regulating Bcl-2 family members,decreasing mitochondrial transmembrane potential,and activating caspase-3,caspase-9,and caspase-8(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Further study revealed that Zey significantly inhibited phosphorylation of Jak2 and Src and downregulated their downstream proteins,including stat3,PI3K/AKT/m TOR,and ERK1/2 signaling pathways(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Zey also suppressed tumor growth with low toxicity in mouse xenograft model of K562cells through decreasing expression of Jak2 and Src.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that Zey substantially suppressed K562 cells both in vitro and in vivo through Jak2 and Src pathways.These findings suggest the potential of Zey as an effective anticancer agent in CML treatment.

In vitro antileukemia activity of ZSTK474 on K562 cells

Aim Chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） is a hematopoietic stem cell cancer caused by the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase which arises from Philadelphia chromosome （Ph） translocation. Imatinib showed potent antitumor efficacy on CML but caused resistance, therefore, other chemotherapeutic drugs for CML are expected. Phosphati-dylinositol 3-kinases （PI3Ks） are lipid kinases that preferentially phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphos- phate （PIP2） to generate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate （PIP3） which activates the downstream Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） , and therefore play important roles in controlling signal pathways involved in cell proliferation, etc. ZSTK474, a specific PI3K inhibitor, was reported to show potent antitumor efficacy on various solid tumors, while the anti｜eukemia effect was not yet reported. Herein, the effects of ZSTK474 on K562 CML cells as well as the adriamycin-resistant human leukemia cells （K562/ADR） are reported. Methods Cell proliferation inhibition was detected by MTT assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by FACS. The expression of cell cycle related molecules like p27 and p21 was detected by western blot and qRT-PCR. Synergistic effect of ZSTK474 and Imatinib was evaluated by MTT assay and analyzed using Calcusyn. Results MTT assay showed that ZSTK474 could inhibit the proliferation of K562 and K562/ADR cells with ICs0 as 4 69 μmol · L^-1 and 7 57 μmol·L^-1 re- spectively. ZSTK474 induced cell cycle G1 arrest in the above two cell lines dose-dependently after 48 h treatment. Western blot analysis demonstrated ZSTK474 treatment decreased the level of cyclin D1 and increased the expres- sion of p27 and p21. Similar results in mRNA level were obtained by qRT-PCR assay. Combination of ZSTK474 and Imatinib indicated synergistic effect in both cell lines. Conclusion ZSTK474 exhibited anti-leukemia activity alone, and showed synergistic effect when combined with Imatinib, on CML K562 cells. These findings suggest possible application of ZSTK474 in CML treatment.

Antitumor Effect of Betulinic Acid on Human Acute Leukemia K562 Cells in vitro

The effects of betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpene, on the cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells were investigated. The effects of BA on the growth of K562 cells were studied by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assayed through Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double-labeled cytometry. The effects of BA on the cell cycle of K562 cells were studied by a PI method. The expression of Bax and capase-3 was detected by using Western blot. The results showed that BA was cytotoxic to K562 cells with an IC50 of 21.26 μg/mL at 24 h. After treating K562 cells with 10 μg/mL BA for 72 h, the number of cells was reduced by 58%. BA induced apoptosis of K562 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The proportion of cells in G0/G1 and G2/M phases was decreased and that in S phase was increased after K562 cells were treated with BA for 24 h. BA treatment also increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3. It suggested that BA could inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The antitumor effects of BA were related with up-regulation of the expression of Bax and caspase-3 proteins. BA may qualify for the development of new therapies for leukemia.

Proteomics Study of Benzene Metabolite Hydroquinone Induced Hematotoxicity in K562 Cells

Objective Hydroquinone(HQ),one of the phenolic metabolites of benzene,is widely recognized as an important participant in benzene-induced hematotoxicity.However,there are few relevant proteomics in HQ-induced hematotoxicity and the mechanism hasn’t been fully understood yet.Methods In this study,we treated K562 cells with 40μmol/L HQ for 72 h,examined and validated protein expression changes by Label-free proteomic analysis and Parallel reaction monitoring(PRM),and performed bioinformatics analysis to identify interaction networks.Results One hundred and eighty-seven upregulated differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)and 279 downregulated DEPs were identified in HQ-exposed K562 cells,which were involved in neutrophilmediated immunity,blood microparticle,and other GO terms,as well as the lysosome,metabolic,cell cycle,and cellular senescence-related pathways.Focusing on the 23 DEGs and 5 DEPs in erythroid differentiation-related pathways,we constructed the network of protein interactions and determined 6 DEPs(STAT1,STAT3,CASP3,KIT,STAT5B,and VEGFA)as main hub proteins with the most interactions,among which STATs made a central impact and may be potential biomarkers of HQ-induced hematotoxicity.Conclusion Our work reinforced the use of proteomics and bioinformatic approaches to advance knowledge on molecular mechanisms of HQ-induced hematotoxicity at the protein level and provide a valuable basis for further clarification.

Anti-cancer Effects of Deguelin on Human Leukemia K562 and K562/ADM Cells In Vitro

In order to investigate the anti-cancer effects of deguelin and on K562 and K562/ADM cells in vitro and the underlying molecular mechanism and compare the cytotoxicity of deguelin on K562, K562/ADM cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. The effects of deguelin on cell proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis were detected by Annexin V/PI double-labeled cytometry. The effects of deguelin on the cell cycle were studied by a propidium iodide method. Our study showed that deguelin inhibited the proliferation of K562 cell and K562/ADM cell in a time- and dose-dependent manner and had minimal effects on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The ratio of IC50 value of deguelin of 24 h on K562/ADM cells to K562 cells was only 1.27, which was significantly lower than the ratio of IC50 value of ADM （higher than 20）. Deguelin could induce apoptosis of K562 cells and K562/ADM cells. K562 cells were arrested at G2/M phase while K562/ADM cells were arrested at G0/G~ phase. Our results suggested that deguelin was a novel anti-leukemia agents with high efficacy and low toxicity and it is also a promising agent for reversing drug resistance.

Proteomic analysis of nuclear matrix proteins during arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis in leukemia K562 cells

Background Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been identified as a very potent antiacute leukemic agent However its role in apoptosis needs to be elucidated As2O3 interferes with the proliferation and survival of tumor cells via a variety of mechanisms Drugtarget interactions at the level of nuclear matrix (NM) may be critical events in the induction of cell death by As2O3 This study dealt with As2O3-target interactions at the level of NM in chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 by proteomics Methods K562 cells were cultured in MEM and treated with different concentrations of As2O3 The nuclear matrix proteins were analyzed by highresolution twodimensional gel electrophoresis and computerassisted image analysis Results As2O3 significantly inhibited the growth of chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 at low concentrations While more than 200 protein spots were shared among the nuclear matrices, about 18 distinct spots in the nuclear matrices were found characteristic for As2O3 treated cells Conclusions: As2O3 induces apoptosis in K562 cells in a dose and timedependent manner Our results demonstrated that for the detection of the onset of apoptosis, the alteration in the composition of nuclear matrix proteins was a more sensitive indicator than nucleosomal DNA fragmentation test These results indicated that As2O3 might be clinically useful in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. The changes of nuclear matrix proteins in the treated cells can be used as a useful indicator for this treatment

Effect of Hydroxyapatitc Nanoparticles on K562 Cells in vitro

Stable and single-dispersed hydroxyapatite （HAP） nanoparticles were synthesized with ultrasonic-assisted method. HAP nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, XRD （X-ray diffraction） and TEM （Transmission Electron Microscopy）. The effect of HAP nanoparticles on the K562 human myelogenous leukemia cell line was investigated by MTT assay and cell count test, and the mechanism was studied through the changes of cell cycle and ultrastructure. The results showed that HAP nanoparticles inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells dramatically in vitro. HAP nanoparticles entered the cytoplasm of K562 cells and the cells were arrested at G/M phase, thus, the cells died directly.

Study of the mechanism on the apoptosis induced in Human leukemia cell line K562 by the combination of indole-3-acetic acid and horseradish peroxidase

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced in Human leukemia cell line K562 by the combination of indole-3-acetic acid and horseradish peroxidase.Methods Human leukemia cell line K562 were exposed to indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) at 20,40,60,80 or 100mol/L and horseradish peroxidase(HRP) at 1.2g/mL for varying times.MTT assay was applied to detect the cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was performed to detect the arrest of cell cycle.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay was used to measure apoptosis.2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate(DCFH-DA) uptake was measured to determine free radical by confocal microscope.Content of malondiadehyde(MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were measured by biochemical methods.Results IAA/HRP initiated growth inhibition of K562 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Flow cytometry revealed that cell cycle arrested at G_1/G_0 after 24 hours treatment.After 72 hours treatment,apoptotic rate of 100 mol/L IAA group increased to 43.9%,which was 5 times that of control(P<0.01).Content of MDA and activity of SOD increased respectively in treatments compared with control.Meanwhile,IAA/HRP stimulated the formation of free radical,which was increased by IAA concentration-dependently.Conclusion The combination of IAA and HRP can inhibit the growth of Human leukemia cell line K562 in vitro by inducing apoptosis which is associated with the increase of free radical.The combination of IAA and HRP might be a promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against human leukemia.

EFFECT OF BcL-2 ANTISENSE DRUG WITH DIFFERENT STRUCTURE ON THE BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF K562 CELLS

Objective: To study the differences and similarities of the antisense drugs with different structures on the biological functions of K562 cells. Methods: Cytotoxic effects were measured by use of a cell viability assay. Flow cytometric analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragmentation were also performed. The expression level of protein was assayed by immunofluorescence using fluoresce isothiocyanate label. Results: PNA targeting the coding region of the Bcl-2 messenger RNA could effectively inhibit K562 cell viability, down-regulate the synthesis of the Bcl-2 protein and increase cell apoptosis. By 72 h after the Bcl-2 antisense PNA treatment, K562 cells showed more reduction in the level of Bcl-2 protein compared with cells treated with the antisense ODN. After treatment with 10 μmol/L of Bcl-2 antisense PNA or antisense ODN for 72 h, apoptotic rates of K562 cells were 13.15±1.13 and 11.72±1.12, respectively. Furthermore, there was significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic cells between antisense PNA group and antisense ODN group. Conclusion: The results suggest that antisense PNA targeting the coding region of Bcl-2 mRNA has better antisense effects than the antisense oligonucleotides on inducing apoptosis of K562 cells. Key words Bcl-2 - Antisense peptide nucleic acid - Antisense oligonucleotide - K562 cells - Apoptosis CLC number Q255 Foundation item: This work was supported by the Key Foundation of Science & Technology Program of Guangzhou (No.2001-Z-037-01), and the Nature Science Key Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 021195).Biography: LEI Xiao-yong(1970–), male, associate professor, doctor of medicine, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Nanhua University, majors in tumor pharmacology.

Genistein-induced Anticancer Effects on Acute Leukemia Cells Involve the Regulation of Wnt Signaling Pathway Through H4K20mel Rather Than DNA Demethylation

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of genistein on the gene expression in the Wnt pathway in acute leukemia(AL)cells.Methods:The expression of Wnt pathway genes and cell cycle-related genes were analyzed in two AL cell lines.Pyrophosphate sequencing was performed to determine the methylation degree.Then,the enrichment of H4K20mel and H3K9ac was determined using ChIP-qPCR.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle.Results:The IC_(50) of genistein in the two AL cell lines was lower than that for the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line.Genistein upregulated H4K20mel,KMT5A and Wnt suppressor genes,including Wnt5a,and downregulated the downstream target genes of Wnt,such as c-myc and β-catenin.The methylation degree and H3K9ac enrichment in the Wnt5a promoter region remained unchanged.However,the enrichment of H4K20mel in the Wnt5a promoter and coding regions increased.In addition,genistein upregulated Phospho-cdc2,Mytl,Cyclin A,Cyclin E2,p21 and Phospho-histone H3,but downregulated Phospho-weel.Cell cycle arrest was induced in the G2/M phase.Conclusion:Genistein inhibits the activation of the Wnt pathway by promoting the expression of Wnt5a through the activation of KMT5A and enrichment of H4K20mel in the Wnt5a gene promoter and coding regions,rather than demethylation.Genistein also blocks the cell cycle in the G2/M phase.Therefore,genistein is a potential anti-leukemia drug.

Arsenic Trioxide Inhibits Proliferation in K562 Cells by Changing Cell Cycle and Survivin Expression

To study the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of chronic myeloid leukemic cells (K562) proliferation induced by arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3) and to explore the potential role of Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, in the regulation of As 2O 3 induced cell apoptosis, K562 cells were cultured with As 2O 3 of different concentrations. Cells were collected for proliferation analysis by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of Survivin protein and mRNA were detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. Our results showed that As 2O 3 (2-10 μmol/L) inhibited K562 cells growth effectively, but it did not induce cells apoptosis significantly. The percentage of K562 cells at G 2/M phase increased in proportion to As 2O 3 concentrations, and the expression of Survivin mRNA and content of Survivin protein was up-regulated accordingly. It is concluded that As 2O 3 inhibited K562 cells growth by inducing cell cycle arrest mainly at G 2/M phase. Over-expression of Survivin gene and protein might be one of the possible mechanisms contributing to K562 cells' resistance to As 2O 3-induced apoptosis.

Effect on Proliferation and Erythroid Differentiation of K562 Cells by IER3IP1-Knockdown

Objective： To investigate the effect on erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells by IER3IP1-knockdown with RNA interference targeting at IER3IP1 gene. Methods： The shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting at IER3IP1 gene were designed and constructed. Inhibitory effect was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The impacts on K562 cells by RNAi were studied by MTT assay, benzidine staining, light microscope and electron microscopy observation, cell cycles analysis, colony formation assay and RT-PCR. The expressions of erythroid differentiation correlated genes Gfi-lB, GPA and 7-globin were studied after being exposed to 0.2μmol/L imatinib for two days. Results： The shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed. The expression of IER3IP1 gene was significantly inhibited with an inhibition efficiency of 76% （P〈0.01）. Compared with the control groups, bcr/abl mRNA level was increased in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group （P〈0.01）. The proliferation ability was enhanced （P〈0.01） and the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase decreased but S phase increased （P〈0.05） in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group. Under electron microscopy, the amount of euchromatin increased but heterochromatin decreased. There were structural abnomalities in endocytoplasmic reticulum and clusters of vesicular. The percentage of benzidine staining positive cells and mRNA expression levels of Gfi-1B, GPA and γ-globin were all decreased after being exposed to 0.2 μmol/L STI571 for two days in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： IER3IP1-knockdown can hinder the erythroid differentiation and elevate the proliferation level of K562 cells. IER3IP1 may play a role in erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells.

Lethal Effect of Benzene Nitrogen Mustard Glucoside Derivate on K562 Cells

A new synthesized benzene nitrogen mustard was converted into glycosyl donor-trichloroacetimidate that was glycosylated with p-nitrophenol（glycosyl donors） to form β-lactosyl p-nitrobenzene under the protection of acetyl in a stereoselective manner, was prepared and evaluated for its cytotoxicity towards cultured K562 cell line. Methylthiazoy tetrazolium（MTT） assay, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, flow cytometry（FCM） and immunohistochemistry were utilized to explore the mechanisms of how the compound arrests the growth of HCT-T cells. This new synthesed benzene nitrogen mustard glucoside derivate（BNMGD） presented a lower toxicity to normal cells, but is significantly more toxic to K562 cells compared with nitrogen mustard, meanwhile it can induce the apoptosis of K562 cells. These results indicate that the new synthesized BNMGD can inhibit the growth of K562 cells and induce the apoptosis, and its cytotoxicity towards cultured K562 cell line is much more effective than that of nitrogen mustard.

Suppression of Amino Acid Transporter LAT3 Expression on Proliferation of K562 Cells

The activity of the mTOR pathway is frequently increased in acute myeloid leukemia, and is tightly related with cellular proliferation. Leucine is tightly linked to the mTOR pathway and can acti- vate it, thereby stimulating cellular proliferation. LAT3 is a major transporter for leucine, and suppres- sion of its expression can reduce cell proliferation. Here, we show that suppression of LAT3 expression can reduce proliferation of the acute leukemia cell line, K562. We investigated the mRNA and protein expression of LAT3 in several leukemia cell lines and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMNCs） using RT-PCR and Western blotting. We also evaluated cell viability using a methyl thia- zolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay after blocking LAT3 expression with either shRNA targeted to LAT3 or a small molecular inhibitor BCH （2-aminobicyclo-（2,2,1）-heptane-2-carboxylic acid）. LAT3 mRNA and protein expression was detected in leukemia cell lines, but not in normal PBMNCs. Using K562 cells, it was found that cellular proliferation and mTOR pathway activity were significantly reduced when LAT3 was blocked with either shRNA or BCH. Our results suggest that leukemia cell proliferation can be sig- nificantly suppressed by blocking LAT3. This finding may lead to a new strategy to develop clinical therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

The Difference of Sensitivity between BXPC-3 and K562 Cells by Treatments with Combination of Indole-3-acetic Acid and Horseradish Peroxidase

The difference of sensitivity to indole- 3-acetic acid （ IAA ） combined with horseradish peroxidase （HRP） in K562 and BXPC- 3 cells was investigated. The cell proliferation was determined by MTF assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis of K562 and BXPC-3 cells were examined by a fluorescence flow cytometer （FCM） and terminal deoxynacleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） respectively. The experimental results show that IAA and HRP could inhibit BXPC- 3 cell proliferation greatly compared with K562 cell during the first 48 h . The cell cycle was arrested predominantly at G2/ M phase in K562 and BXPC- 3 cells. The cell apoptosis of K562 and BXPC- 3 was induced by IAA/ HRP. There was a significant difference between the two cell lines since BXPC-3 cells were more sensitive than K562 cells by treatments with combination of IAA and HRP.

Effects of Root Extracts from <i>Panax ginseng</i>C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) of Different Ages on K562 Cells

It is well accepted in China that elder ginsengs have more bioactivity and value than younger ones. However, there is little research about the comparison of beneficial effects of ginsengs with different ages. In this study, ginseng root extracts (GRE) were extracted from ginsengs of 5, 8, 12, 14, and 16 years old, respectively, using 55% ethanol and their effects on human leukemic K562 cells within 48 hours were tested by using Cell Counting Kit-8. The results show that there are significant increases in the cell viability of all the GRE groups compared with Control group within 32 hours. Furthermore, the growth curves of GRE groups were obviously distinct from each other. The cell viability of 5-year-old and 8-year-old GRE groups kept a rapid increase while that of 16-year-old GRE group showed a strong fluctuation within 28 hours. Our results demonstrate that root extracts from ginsengs of different ages contain different bioactivity constituents and have different effects on cell.

Study of Celastrol on Akt Signaling Pathway and Its Roles in the Apoptosis of K562 Cells

The purpose Celastrol, the main active compound of the Celastrus genus plants, belonging to Celastraceae, has recently marked antitumour potency on solid tumours of various derivations, Methods: We demonstrate here that Celastrol also present powerful antileukaemic potency through both growth arrest and apoptosis induction in K562 cells, which was accompanied by typical apoptotic morphological and sharp decreased expression of phosphorylation level of Caspase family members and Akt signaling pathway related proteins were determined by western blot before and after celastrol treatment, and further the effect of AKT signaling pathway on celastrol-induced-apoptosis was analyzed. However, in vitro treatment with Celastrol resulted in significantly reduced expression of phophorylation of Akt, Survivin and Bcl-2 significantly in K562 cells. Results: 25 nmol/L WORT (PI3K-Akt inhibitor) can significantly augmented cell apoptosis induced by Celastrol in K562 cells in dose-dependent manner, Moreover, most Caspase3,8,6 were activated in K562 cells during Celastrol treatment, 50 μmol/Lz-VAD-fmk (Caspase inhibitor) can to enhance the apoptosis induced by Celastrol. Discussion: These results suggest that the fact that Akt signaling pathway might act as new targets of Celastrol, correlates well with the sensitivity to Celastrol, as well as the rate of apoptosis induced by Celastrol, Mechanisms that regulate Akt signaling pathway may be provide novel opportunities for drug development.

Rubus Parvifolius L.Inhibited the Growth of Leukemia K562 Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

Objective：To determine the antiproliferative activity of Rubus parvifolius L.（RP）extract,its medicinal serum and RP total saponins（RPTS）against K562 cells in vitro and in vivo.Methods：Nude mice models bearing leukemia tumors were treated with different concentrations of RP extract.The size,weight and histopathological change of leukemic tumors were determined.Semi-solid agar culture and methylthiazolyl tetrazolium（MTT）assay were used to determine in vitro the inhibition of colony formation and proliferation of K562 cells respectively by different concentrations of RP medicinal serum and RPTS.Results：RP extract had a tumor inhibition rate of 84.8%when administered to mice at a dose of 1.0 g/day of crude RP root equivalent.Semi-solid agar culture of K562cells in the presence of 20%（v/v）of RP medicinal serum and 150 mg/L RPTS demonstrated a 50.8%and 100%inhibition of the colony forming unit（CFU）-K562,respectively.The same doses of RP medicinal serum and RPTS showed a proliferation inhibition of 31.4%and 86.3%,respectively against K562 cells in MTT assay.Conclusion：RP extract and RPTS show effective antiproliferative activity against myeloid leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.

Study on Taxol in Inhibiting Human Leukemia Cell Proliferation andInducing Apoptosis

Objective: To explore the effects of Taxol in inhibiting human leukemia k562 cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in vitro. Methods: Human leukemia K562 cells were treated with Taxol of different concentrations for 12-72 hrs. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and morphological changes of apoptosis were examined by microscopy. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry (FCM) and DNA gel electrophoresis. Results: Growth of K562 cells was inhibited by Taxol with an IC50 value of 0. 84μg/ml. Typical nuclear condensation and apoptosis bodies were observed as early as 24 hrs after a 0.5μg/ml Taxol treatment; Apoptotic rate of the Taxol-treated K562 cells increased from 3.7% to 24.0% in 24 hrs. No DNA ladder was observed by DNA gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: Taxol could inhibit K562 cell growth and induce apoptosis in vitro.

STUDY ON EFFECTS OF RED ORPIMENT AND ATRA ON PML GENE AND PROTEIN IN LEUKEMIA CELL LINES

Objective :To investigate PML. gene and protein expression and localization in leukemia cell lines. Methods Cell morphology was assayed by Wright’s stain and fluorescence stain, and PML mRNA expression by RT-PCR, PML protein localization by immuno-fluorescence. Results NB4 and HL-60 cells differentiated morphologically after treatment with anti-retinoic acid (ATRA ) while K562 cells did not differentiate. Typical apoptosis was found in each cell line after treatment with red orpiment. Immuno-fluorescence analysis showed, after treatment with ATRA, the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells and the PML protein relocated, while HL-60 and K562 cells had no difference from control cells. After treatment with red orpiment, the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells, then degraded, which was also seen in HL-60 cells and K562 cells. The expression of PML mRNA was not changed in all three cell lines after treatment with ATRA or red orpiment. Conclusion PML plays the role of differentiation and apoptosis inducer in leukemia cells at the translational level. PML in POD plays the role of apoptosis inducer and the growth control of leukemia cells.