title: Nano neodymium oxide induces massive vacuolization and autophagic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells.
abstract: Neodymium, a rare earth element, was known to exhibit cytotoxic effects and induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells. Here we show that nano-sized neodymium oxide (Nano Nd2O3) induced massive vacuolization and cell death in non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells at micromolar equivalent concentration range. Cell death elicited by Nano Nd2O3 was not due to apoptosis and caspases were not involved. Electron microscopy and acridine orange staining revealed extensive autophagy in the cytoplasm of the cells treated by Nano Nd2O3. Autophagy induced by Nano Nd2O3 was accompanied by S-phase cell cycle arrest, mild disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibition of proteasome activity. Bafilomycin A1, but not 3-MA, induced apoptosis while inhibiting autophagy. Our results revealed a novel biological function for Nano Nd2O3 and may have implications for the therapy of non-small cell lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lisong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Long-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D001343:Autophagy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018942:Macrolides / Q000633:toxicity; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009354:Neodymium / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D010087:Oxides; D009354:Neodymium; C040929:bafilomycin A1; C505244:neodymium oxide; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex