[In vivo apoptotic effect of alpha-2b interferon (IFN) on rat preneoplastic liver ].
In order to know whether IFN alpha prevents in vivo oncogenesis in the very-early-stage cancer cells, we evaluated the action of IFN alpha-2b on preneoplastic foci in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: subjected to an initiation-promotion model of cancer development (G1), treated with IFN alpha-2b during: a) initiation-promotion (G2), b) initiation (G3), promotion (G4); subjected only to an initiation stage (G5) and treated with IFN alpha-2b during this period (G6). The number and area of rGST P-positive foci were reduced and the Apoptotic index was increased in G2, 3 and 6. Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein levels were decreased in IFN alpha-2b-treated rats. Increased levels of mitochondrial Bax protein were observed in G2, 3 and 6. In conclusion, preneoplastic hepatocytes in the IFN alpha-2b-treated rats undergo programmed cell death as a result of a significant increase of Bax and its translocation to the mitochondria.
Alvarez
M L
ML
Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 570, 2000-Rosario, Argentina.
Cerliani
J P
JP
Monti
J A
JA
Carnovale
C E
CE
Ronco
T
T
Pellegrino
J M
JM
Pisani
G
G
Lugano
C
C
Carrillo
M C
MC
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
Efecto apoptotico in vivo del interferon alfa-2b (IFN) sobre higados preneoplasicos de rata.