Induction of apoptosis by the green tea flavonol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in human endothelial ECV 304 cells.
We have previously shown that treatment with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited vascularity and tumor growth in human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice (Jung et al: Br J Cancer 84, 2001). In this study, we examined whether endothelial cell death by EGCG is mediated by apoptosis and which molecular mechanisms are involved in this process. EGCG was found to suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis largely through mitochondrial depolarization, activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of DNA fragmentation factor-45 in human endothelial ECV 304 cells. The induction of apoptosis by EGCG was confirmed by cleaved and condensed nuclear chromatin and DNA hypoploidy. These results suggest that EGCG may exert at least part of its anticancer effect by inhibiting angiogenesis through inducing endothelial apoptosis.
Yoo
Hyeon G
HG
Chonnam University Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
Shin
Boo A
BA
Park
Ju C
JC
Kim
Hong S
HS
Kim
Won J
WJ
Chay
Kee O
KO
Ahn
Bong W
BW
Park
Rae K
RK
Ellis
Lee M
LM
Jung
Young D
YD
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C109664:caspase-activated DNase inhibitor; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases