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The Effect of Bee Venom and Melittin on Glioblastoma Cells in Zebrafish Model
Agata Małek1, Maciej Strzemski2, Jacek Kurzepa1
1Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract:
Previous in vitro studies have shown the therapeutic potential of bee venom (BV) against different types of glioblastoma cells. Our aim was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of BV on glioma in the zebrafish model. First, safe concentrations of BV and melittin were determined by determining the LD50 for each substance. Two human glioma cell lines, 8MGBA and LN-229, were used in this study. After staining the tested cells for visualization under UV light, they were then implanted into 2-day-old zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish were incubated for 3 days with crude BV and melittin at concentrations of 1.5 and 2.5 µg/mL vs. control group. Tumor growth was assessed with a stereo microscope. We found differential proliferative responses of two human glioma lines in a zebrafish model. The 8MGBA cell line, but not LN-229, showed proliferative potential when implanted into 2-day-old zebrafish embryos. This study showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect only for BV against 8MGBA cells. The observed cytotoxic effect is not dependent on the presence of the peptide melittin-the main BV component with the greatest cytotoxic potential. Simultaneously, a slight increase in LN-229 cell proliferation was observed after 3 days of incubation with melittin at a concentration of 2.5 µg/mL. This indicates that any consideration of bee venom as a therapeutic substance must take into account the type of glioblastoma.
Insights
Bee venom (BV) shows a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on 8MGBA glioblastoma cells in zebrafish, but not on LN-229 cells. Melittin, a key BV component, did not drive this cytotoxic effect, suggesting glioblastoma type influences therapeutic response.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cancer biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- In vitro studies suggest bee venom (BV) has therapeutic potential against glioblastoma.
- Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of bee venom (BV) on human glioma cells in a zebrafish model.
- To investigate the role of melittin, a major component of BV, in the observed cytotoxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Determined LD50 for safe concentrations of BV and melittin.
- Implanted human glioma cell lines (8MGBA and LN-229) into 2-day-old zebrafish embryos.
- Incubated embryos with BV and melittin (1.5 and 2.5 µg/mL) for 3 days, assessing tumor growth via microscopy.
Main Results:
- The 8MGBA cell line exhibited proliferative potential in zebrafish, while LN-229 did not.
- Bee venom (BV) demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect specifically against 8MGBA cells.
- The cytotoxic effect was independent of melittin; LN-229 cells showed slight proliferation with melittin exposure.
Conclusions:
- Glioblastoma cell line type influences proliferative response in the zebrafish model.
- Bee venom's therapeutic potential against glioblastoma is cell-type dependent and not solely attributable to melittin.
- Further research is needed to understand the differential effects of BV on various glioblastoma subtypes.
