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Lithium prevents cell apoptosis through autophagy induction
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy
|April 18, 2018
Summary
Lithium chloride (LiCl) enhances bone marrow stromal stem cell (BMSC) survival under serum deprivation by inducing autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis. This simple method offers protection for BMSCs in cell therapy and tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Cellular therapeutics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) are crucial for cell therapy and tissue engineering.
- Protecting BMSCs from apoptosis during differentiation is essential for successful applications.
- Lithium treatment presents a potential method for enhancing BMSC survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) on BMSCs under serum deprivation.
- To determine the mechanisms by which LiCl influences BMSC survival, including apoptosis and autophagy.
- To evaluate the dose-dependent efficacy of LiCl in improving BMSC viability.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of BMSCs.
- Treatment of BMSCs with varying concentrations of LiCl under serum deprivation conditions.
- Assessment of cell proliferation, apoptosis markers (e.g., XIAP), and autophagy markers (e.g., P62, LC3II).
Main Results:
- LiCl significantly increased BMSC survival rates under serum deprivation.
- Autophagy induction (decreased P62, increased LC3II) and apoptosis inhibition (increased XIAP) were observed with LiCl treatment.
- Optimal BMSC survival was noted at specific LiCl concentrations, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect.
Conclusions:
- LiCl effectively protects BMSCs from apoptosis induced by serum deprivation.
- Autophagy induction is a key mechanism underlying LiCl's protective effects on BMSCs.
- Lithium treatment offers a promising strategy to enhance BMSC viability for therapeutic applications.
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