Analysis of aclarubicin-induced cell death in human fibroblasts

In the present study we investigated the mode of cell death induced by aclarubicin (ACL) in trisomic (BB) and normal (S-2) human fibroblasts. Cells were incubated with ACL for 2h and then cultured in drug-free medium for up to 96h. Using fluorescence microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis and comet assay we demonstrate that ACL induced time-dependent morphological and biochemical changes in both cell types. The population of apoptotic cells, analysed by acridine orange and ethidium bromide nuclear staining reached its maximum at 24-48h. Prolonged post-treatment time progressively increased the level of necrotic cells. At 24-48h time points we also observed a significant increase in caspase-3 activity, oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation and DNA strand breaks. Cotreatment of cells with the specific caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO partly reduced the extent of apoptosis and necrosis and DNA degradation. In conclusion, trisomic and normal fibroblasts demonstrate similar response to aclarubicin treatment. Drug induced the apoptotic and necrotic pathway of cell death that was mediated by caspase-3.