Different sensitivity of neurons and neuroblastoma cells to quercetin treatment

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative properties. In this study, we determined the sensitivity of neurons and neuroblastoma cells on apoptosis and necrosis induction upon quercetin treatment. No expression of Hsp72 was observed in neurons, which were more sensitive to cell death upon quercetin treatment than neuroblastoma cells, where Hsp72 expression was observed. Reduction of Hsp72 gene expression in neuroblastoma cells by antisense oligonucleotides made them more sensitive to pro-apoptotic action of quercetin. Moreover, the flavonoid decreased Hsp27, procaspase-3, MRP and PKB expression in neuroblastoma cells and in neurons. Nuclear localization of mainly cytoplasmic Hsp27 was observed in neuroblastoma cells after treatment with high quercetin concentrations, while in neurons, the protein was present in nuclei both in control and quercetin treated cells. Our results suggest that quercetin induce apoptosis more effectively in cells with low level of Hsp 72 expression. Higher sensitivity of neurons for cell death after treatment with high quercetin concentrations in comparison to neuroblastoma cell line should also be taken into consideration in further studies on using studied flavonoid as therapeutic agent.