Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
Published on: February 23, 2019
[Effect of Arsenic Trioxide on K562 Cell Proliferation and Its Mechanism]
Yuan Wang1, Jie Yang1, Jie Li1
1Department of Hematology, Hebei Provincial People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China.
Objective:
To investigate the molecular mechanism of arsenic trioxide(ATO) inhibiting K562 cell proliferation, and explore the new targets for treating chronic myeloid leukemia(CML).
Methods:
human CML cell line K562 cells were cultured in vitro, and were treated with different concentrations of ATO; MTT was used to detect the cell proliferation; flow cytometry(FCM) was used to determine cell apoptosis, cell cycle and the expression of CD44; Transcriptional levels of β-catenin and cyclin D1 were assayed by RT-PCR.
Results:
2 µmol/L ATO could inhibit the cell proliferation obviously in a time-and-dose-dependent manner. With drug concentration increasing and time prolonging, the expression rate of CD44 was declined gradrually. FCM with AnnexinV/PI double staining showed that K562 cells were induced to apoptosis after exposure to 2.5-10 µmol/L ATO for 48 hours and in dose-dependent manner. Treating with different concentration ATO for 48 hours, cell ratio of G0/G1 phase increased and cell ratio in S phase decreased gradually. RT-PCR showed that the expression of β-catenin and CyclinD1 decreased with increasing of drug concentration.
Conclusion:
ATO in certain concentration range can inhibit K562 cell proliferation, and induce the cell apotosis, the mechanismin influencing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be the downregulation of CD44 expression, arresting K562 cells in G0/G1 phase, and affecting the gene transcription, thus inhibiting K562 cell proliferation.
Insights
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) inhibits chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This occurs through downregulation of CD44 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway signaling.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid cells.
- Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has shown therapeutic potential in various cancers, including CML, but its precise molecular mechanisms require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which arsenic trioxide (ATO) inhibits K562 cell proliferation.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets for CML treatment.
Main Methods:
- K562 CML cells were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of ATO.
- Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assays.
- Apoptosis, cell cycle, and CD44 expression were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM).
- Transcriptional levels of β-catenin and cyclin D1 were determined by RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- ATO significantly inhibited K562 cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
- ATO treatment led to decreased CD44 expression, increased apoptosis, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.
- Downregulation of β-catenin and cyclin D1 gene expression was observed with increasing ATO concentrations.
Conclusions:
- ATO effectively inhibits K562 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.
- The mechanism involves downregulation of CD44 expression, impacting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
- ATO-induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and altered gene transcription contribute to its anti-proliferative effects in CML.

