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Apoptosis inducing effects of arsenic trioxide on human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87
1Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430022, China.
Objective:
To explore the apoptosis inducing effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human bladder cancer cells and elucidate possible mechanisms.
Methods:
After treatment with As2O3, the growth inhibition rates of human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87 were studied by MTT and cell counts methods. DNA synthesis rates were detected by 3H-TdR assay. The morphological changes of cancer cells were observed by light and electronic microscopy and cell apoptosis rates were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). bcl-2 gene expression of BIU-87 cells was observed by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical method.
Results:
As2O3 could effectively inhibit the growth of BIU-87 (P < 0.05), which were time and concentration dependent. The inhibition rate of 4.0 mumol/L As2O3 for DNA synthesis of cancer cells was 55.64% (P < 0.01). Partial cancer cells presented the characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis which depended on the time of exposure to drug (P < 0.05). bcl-2 expression of BIU-87 cells was decreased significantly (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
As2O3 can significantly induce apoptosis in bladder cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of the bcl-2 gene and inhibiting DNA synthesis. This provides a potentially effective method for prevention and cure of human bladder cancer.
Insights
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) effectively inhibits human bladder cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis. This occurs through down-regulating bcl-2 gene expression and inhibiting DNA synthesis, offering a potential cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bladder cancer remains a significant health concern globally.
- Identifying novel therapeutic agents for bladder cancer is crucial.
- Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has shown anti-cancer properties in various studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human bladder cancer cells.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of As2O3-induced apoptosis in bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87 was treated with As2O3.
- Cell growth inhibition was assessed using MTT assays and cell counts.
- DNA synthesis, morphological changes, apoptosis rates (TUNEL assay), and bcl-2 gene expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- As2O3 demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of BIU-87 cell growth (P < 0.05).
- A significant inhibition of DNA synthesis (55.64%) was observed at 4.0 μmol/L As2O3 (P < 0.01).
- Characteristic apoptotic morphological changes and decreased bcl-2 expression were noted in cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- As2O3 significantly induces apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells.
- The mechanism involves down-regulation of bcl-2 gene expression and inhibition of DNA synthesis.
- As2O3 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer prevention and treatment.
