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Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
Published on: June 29, 2011
Apoptosis induced by tungsten carbide-cobalt nanoparticles in JB6 cells involves ROS generation through both
Jinshun Zhao1, Linda Bowman, Ruth Magaye
1Department of Preventive Medicine of the Medical School, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathological and Physiological Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China. zhaojinshun@nbu.edu.cn
Abstract:
In this study, apoptosis and related signaling induced by WC-Co nanoparticles were investigated in JB6 cells and rat lung macrophages. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and fluorescent staining indicated that both WC-Co nanoparticles and fine particles stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Catalase exhibited an inhibitory effect on WC-Co nanoparticle-induced ROS as well as mitochondrial membrane permeability damage. Further study indicated that WC-Co nanoparticles elicited higher cytotoxicity and apoptotic induction than fine particles. Western blot analysis showed activation of proapoptotic factors including Fas, Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), caspase 3, 8 and 9, BID and BAX. In addition, both cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were upregulated and released from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Our findings demonstrate that, on a mass basis, WC-Co nanoparticles exhibit higher cytotoxicity and apoptotic induction than fine particles. Apoptosis induced by WC-Co nanoparticles and fine particles involves both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways.
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