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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Two Methods for Establishing Primary Human Endometrial Stromal Cells from Hysterectomy Specimens
Published on: May 23, 2014
Induction of apoptosis or necrosis in human endometrial carcinoma cells by 2-methoxyestradiol
Li Li1, Nils-Erik Heldin, Jan Grawé
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Background:
We investigated the effects of 2methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an endogenous estrogenic metabolite, on human endometrial cancer HEC-1-A and RL-95-2 cell lines.
Materials And Methods:
After exposure of HEC-1-A and RL-95-2 cells to 2-ME, the morphological changes were evaluated by acridine orange staining and transmission electron microscopy. Cell cycle progress, apoptosis and necrosis were assessed by flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and Western blot.
Results:
2-ME inhibited cell growth by blocking the S- and G2/M-phase in both cell lines, by inducing apoptosis in HEC-1-A cells and by causing necrosis in RL-95-2 cells. Apoptosis, on HEC-1-A cells, was accompanied by an increased expression of iNOS and STAT1. This apoptotic effect was prevented by the iNOS inhibitor 1400W and eliminated by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Necrosis, on RL-95-2 cells, was due to a severe disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. 2-ME had no significant effect on normal human endometrial cells.
Conclusion:
The data suggest that 2-ME has an antitumor effect on human endometrial carcinoma cells (HEC-1-A and RL-95-2) and may contribute as a new therapeutic agent for endometrial cancer patients.
