Oxyphilic and non-oxyphilic thyroid carcinoma cell lines differ in expressing apoptosis-related genes.
Oxyphilic tumors of the thyroid are characterized by mitochondrion-rich cells and extensive DNA fragmentation. In order to clarify if a different expression of apoptosis-related genes could be responsible for DNA fragmentation in oxyphilic cell tumors, two thyroid follicular carcinoma-derived cell lines, having oxyphilic (XTC.UC1) and non-oxyphilic (WRO) features, were compared applying a gene array technique. Under basal culture conditions, several pro-apoptotic genes [caspases 3 and 10, Fas and the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (trail) genes] were switched on in oxyphilic, but not in non-oxyphilic cells. No difference in the mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes (bax, bad, bcl family etc.) was observed. Using the ISEL technique, the extent of DNA fragmentation did not differ under basal conditions in the two cell lines. Conversely, following an oxidative pro-apoptotic stress (6-h methylene blue treatment and light exposure), XTC.UC1 cells showed an extensive DNA fragmentation (up to 70% of cells), dramatically exceeding that observed in WRO cells (up to 20% of cells). In contrast, the oxidative stimulus induced a remarkable apoptosis gene activation in non-oxyphilic WRO cells only. These results suggest that oxyphilic cells may have a unique silent activation of a pro-apoptotic phenotype, which could be responsible for DNA instability and lead to cell death as the consequence of an increased sensitivity to ischemic stresses, as frequently observed in vivo.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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E
Allìa
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P
Cassoni
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T
Marrocco
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M
Volante
B
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Bussolati
M
M
Wong
O H
OH
Clark
M
M
Papotti
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000235:genetics; D003720:Densitometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein
C494819:BAD protein, human; C494826:BAX protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein