Effect of metformin on acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 and its mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of metformin (Met) on biological characteristics of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4. NB4 cells were treated with various concentrations of Met for different time, MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation, the alteration of cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the change of cell adhesion ability was examined by cell adhesion assay. NB4 cells were pretreated with U0126, a specific inhibitor for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, ERK phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot analysis, apoptosis and cell adhesion ability were evaluated by flow cytometry and cell adhesion test respectively. The results showed that Met could inhibit the cell proliferation, induce the cell apoptosis and increase the ability of cell adhesion. The pretreatment of NB4 cells with 5 µmol/L U0126 could effectively inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK, and reduce cell apoptosis and adhesion induced by 5 mmol/L Met. It is concluded that Met can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis and adhesion of NB4 cells. MEK/ERK signaling pathway may be one of the molecular mechanisms of metformin on NB4 cells.