[Relation between activation of NF-kappa B and chemotherapy induced apoptosis of leukemic cells].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relation between activation of NF-kappa B and chemotherapy induced apoptosis of leukemic cells and the effect of vincristine (VCR) on them.


METHODS
Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect the activation of NF-kappa B and tunel DNA electrophoresis was adopted to observe the apoptosis induced by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) and etopside (Vp-16) in P388 leukemic cells.


RESULTS
The activation of NF-kappa B induced by Ara-C and Vp-16 was obviously correlated to apoptosis in P388 cells. VCR (0.1 micromol/L) could suppress activation of NF-kappa B by 52% and 63% and significantly increase the apoptosis by 89% and 123% as induced by Ara-C (100 micromol/L) and Vp-16 (100 micromol/L). The activity of NF-kappa B could be found in P388 cells before being exposed to chemotherapeutic agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapeutic agents can induce apoptosis and activation of NF-kappa B of P388 cells. The mechanism of VCR potentiating chemotherapeutics induction of leukemia cell apoptosis may be related to its suppression of the NF-kappa B activity in the P388 cells.
Xu
Xiao-ping
XP
Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Shi
Jian-hui
JH
Li
Lin
L
Zhang
Zong-liang
ZL
Cheng
Wen-ying
WY
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007941:Leukemia P388 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014750:Vincristine