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Se-methylselenocysteine sensitized TRAIL-mediated apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression

Jung Tae Lee1, Tae-Jin Lee, Jong-Wook Park

  • 1Department of Immunology and Chronic Disease Research Center and Institute for Medical Science, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Jung-Gu, Taegu 700-712, Korea.

International Journal of Oncology
|April 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Selenium, specifically Se-methylselenocysteine (Se-MSC), enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in renal cancer cells. This occurs by down-regulating Bcl-2 expression, making cancer cells more sensitive to TRAIL therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Selenium plays a role in cancer prevention.
  • Selenium compounds may enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in renal cancer.
  • Understanding mechanisms of TRAIL resistance is crucial for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synergistic effects of TRAIL and Se-methylselenocysteine (Se-MSC) on renal cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the role of Bcl-2 in Se-MSC and TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
  • To explore the signaling pathways involved in the combined treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of Caki cells with TRAIL and Se-MSC.
  • Analysis of Bcl-2 expression at the transcriptional level.
  • Forced expression of Bcl-2 to assess its role in apoptosis.
  • Investigation of caspase-dependent pathways.
  • Co-administration of TRAIL with a Bcl-2 inhibitor (HA14-1).

Main Results:

  • Concomitant administration of TRAIL and Se-MSC induced synergistic apoptosis in Caki cells.
  • Se-MSC significantly down-regulated Bcl-2 expression transcriptionally.
  • Forced Bcl-2 expression attenuated the apoptotic effects of Se-MSC plus TRAIL.
  • The synergistic effects involved activation of caspase-dependent pathways.
  • Combined treatment with HA14-1 and TRAIL also increased apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Se-MSC down-regulates Bcl-2, sensitizing renal cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
  • Selenium-based compounds may offer a strategy to overcome TRAIL resistance in renal cancer.
  • The findings highlight the potential of combining selenium with TRAIL therapy for improved cancer treatment.

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