[The effects of sodium butyrate on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in immortalized esophageal epithelial cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of sodium butyrate on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of immortalized esophagus epithelial cells.


METHODS
SHEE, an immortalized human fetal esophageal epithelial cell line induced by HPV18 E6E7, was cultivated in culture flasks and 24-well plates. Two experiment groups of cultured cells were treated with 1 and 5 mmol/L of sodium butyrate respectively for 4 days, and one group of untreated cells set aside as control. The numbers of cloned cells were calculated. The ultra-structure of SHEE cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cell cycle and number of apoptotic cells were measured by flow cytometry, Ki-67 and cytokeratin of cells were detected by immunohistochemistry method and F-actin of cells labeled with phalloidin was examined by laser confocal scanning microscopy.


RESULTS
Colony formations showed a significant decrease in the 2 experiment groups after 4 days of culture (P < 0.01). In the 1 mmol/L group, the cells at S phase were diminished and arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase. Compared with control group, Ki-67 positive cells were found decreased, while F-actin and cytokeratin were increased. Apoptotic cells in 5 mmol/L group were increased markedly.


CONCLUSIONS
Sodium butyrate may induce SHEE cells growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. The effects depend on sodium butyrate concentration and time of exposure. Whether it can be used in combination with other anticancer drugs should be further studied.
Shen
Z
Z
Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, Guangdong Province, China. jshen@mailserv.stu.edu.cn
Chen
M
M
Cai
W
W
Shen
J
J
Chen
J
J
Hong
C
C
Zeng
Y
Y
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002087:Butyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D002087:Butyrates; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C052603:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 18; C052633:E7 protein, Human papillomavirus type 18; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D007633:Keratins