ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the toxic effects and mechanisms of sulphur mustard on DNA damage of human immortalized epidermal keratinocytes (HacaT cells).Methods The inhibitory effect of sulphur mustard on the proliferation of HacaT cells was detected by CCK-8 method.The apoptosis index of cells was measured by Annexin V-FITC method.The effects of sulphur mustard on DNA damage were detected by single cell gel electrophoresis.The expression levels of DNA damage and repair related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results The proliferation rate of HacaT cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with sulphur mustard for 24 h (IC50 value was 121 mol/L).The apoptotic and comet tailing rates of cells treated with sulphur mustard also increased in a dose-dependent manner.The expression levels of DNA damage and repair related proteins were changed after treatment with sulphur mustard.Conclusion Sulphur mustard has significant cytotoxic effect on HacaT cells,and can induce apoptosis and DNA damage.In addition,ATM-P53-γH2AX-PARP signaling pathway plays an important role in the repair of DNA damage induced by sulphur mustard.