Radiosensitization of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit inhibitor NU7026 on HCT116 colorectal cancer stem cells / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the radiosensitization and mechanism of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit inhibitor NU7026 on HCT116 colorectal cancer stem cells.Methods The flow cytometry was used to determine the sub-population of cancer stem cells with the markers CD133/ CD44.The cells were divided into four groupscontrol group,20 μmol/L NU7926 group,2 Gy irradiation group,and 20 μmol/L NU7026 combined with 2 Gy irradiation group.Cell proliferation and survival were evaluated by colony-formation experiment.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction.γ-H2AX foci were detected with immune-fluorescence staining analysis by a laser confocal microscopy for investiating the DNA double-strand break repair.Results The flow cytometric data of CD133 +/CD44 + positive cells indicated that the sub-population of cancer stem cell (CSC) took the ratio of (88.14 ± 0.47)％ of the cultured HCT116 cells.The colony-formation efficiency of HCT116 cells was (84.75 ± 1.35) ％ in serum-free mediums in vitro culture.Compared to 2 Gy irradiation alone group,the NU7026 combined with 2 Gy irradiation group had a lower cell colony-forming ratio (t =7.21,P ＜0.01) and a lower survival ratio (t =7.22,P ＜ 0.01).The proportion of CSCs sub-population increased at 48 h post-2 Gy irradiation,suggesting that HCT116 CSCs was more resistant to ionizing radiation.Importantly,NU7026 largely decreased the proportion of CSCs sub-population in 2 Gy-irradiated cells.The difference of CSC proportion between 2 Gy irradiation alone group and 2 Gy combined with NU7026 treatment group was statistically significant (t =9.55,P ＜ 0.01).In addition,the group of NU7026 combined with 2 Gy irradiation had a higher ratio of G2/M arrest 24 h post-irradiation (t =7.67,P ＜ 0.01) and an increased induction of cell early apoptosis (t =8.24,P ＜ 0.05).48 h post irradiation as compared to 2 Gy irradiation alone group.NU7026 treatment significantly inhibited the cellular capacity of repairing DNA double-strand breaks induced by γ-ray irradiation.The γ-H2AX foci of the combined treatments group were much higher than that of 2 Gy irradiation alone group at 2,4,8,24 h postirradiation (t=19.58,11.95,7.01,9.45,P＜0.01).Conclusions DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit inhibitor NU7026 can significantly sensitize the cancer stem cells of colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells to γ-ray irradiation.Multiple mechanisms are involved in the radiosensitization effect of NU7026,including DNA repair inhibition,elongation of G2/M arrest,and increase of radiation-induced apoptosis.