Abstract:
Objective To investigate the mechanism and effects of autophagy on cisplatin(DDP)-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.
Methods Cell proliferation was determined by an MTT assay after the SGC7901 cells were treated with DDP and/or chloroquine. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Autophagy and related protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Autophagy was quantitatively analyzed by fluorescence microscopy after monodansylcadaverine staining was performed.
Results The cells were treated with 5 mg/L of DDP for 24 h, the rate of cell apoptosis was (21.07 ± 2.12)%. Autophagy, characterized by an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and LC3-II protein level, was observed in DDP-treated cells. After autophagy was inhibited by chloroquine, the rate of cell apoptosis was increased to (30.16 ± 3.54)%. In addition, caspase-3 and P53 protein levels were increased, but Bcl-2 protein was decreased.
Conclusion Autophagy protected human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 from DDP-induced apoptosis. In addition, the inhibition of autophagy could promote apoptosis. The combined therapy of DDP and chloroquine may be a promising therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.