Triptolide induces cell death in pancreatic cancer cells by apoptotic and autophagic pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, among the most lethal human malignancies, is resistant to current chemotherapies. We previously showed that triptolide inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and prevents tumor growth in vivo. This study investigates the mechanism by which triptolide kills pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods

Cells were treated with triptolide and viability and caspase-3 activity were measured using colorimetric assays. Annexin V, propidium iodide, and acridine orange staining were measured by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence was used to monitor the localization of cytochrome c and Light Chain 3 (LC3) proteins. Caspase-3, Atg5, and Beclin1 levels were down-regulated by exposing cells to their respective short interfering RNA.

Res

SUBMITTER: Mujumdar N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3587769 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature