Synergistic effect of Apo2L and chemotherapeutic agents on leukemia cells / 中华血液学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore if the antileukemic drugs Vp16 or Ara-C are able to upregulate DR5 gene expression and enhance Apo2L-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry after annexin V/PI staining, the effect of Apo2L on fresh leukemia cells by MTT reduction assay, the expression of DR5 gene in HL-60 cells by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. Apo2L induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Apo2L inhibited the proliferation of fresh leukemia cells, but there was difference among different subtypes. 3. Vp16 or Ara-C upregulated DR5 gene expression and augmented Apo2L-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Apo2L could induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells and inhibit the proliferation of fresh leukemia cells. Ara-C or Vp16 upregulated DR5 gene expression and increased the sensitivity of HL-60 to Apo2L-induced cytotoxicity. Apo2L might be a promising antileukemic agent for the treatment of leukemia.</p>