title: A novel function of haptoglobin: haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex induces apoptosis of hepatocarcinomatous Hep 3B cells.
abstract: Haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex (Cx) showed a cytotoxic effect on the growth of Hep 3B (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cells, dose dependently. The antiproliferative effect of Cx on the multiplication of Hep 3B cells was augmented by the presence of prostaglandin (PG) D2. Antihuman Hb IgG abolished the effect of Cx, dose-dependently, which indicates that the antiproliferative effect of Cx really is exerted by Cx. Hep 3B cells treated with Cx showed the characteristic biochemical changes of apoptosis, such as DNA fragmentation which was blocked by pretreatment with cycloheximide, and the increase of transglutaminase expression. Thus, the antiproliferative effect of Cx against Hep 3B cells occurs via the typical apoptotic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Shim
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000502:physiology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006242:Haptoglobins; D006454:Hemoglobins; C035492:haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex