title: Cadmium induces apoptosis in the human osteoblast-like cell line Saos-2.
abstract: Human exposure to the heavy metal cadmium has been associated with the development of bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteomalacia. The mechanisms by which cadmium exerts a direct effect on bone remain unclear. Bone cells go through apoptosis for proper bone remodeling; therefore, it was hypothesized that cadmium disrupts this normal balance by inducing apoptosis. Human osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) were treated with 10-200 muM cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and evaluated by trypan blue staining and phase-contrast microscopy. Exposure to CdCl2 resulted in decreased cell viability and changes in cell morphology characteristic of apoptosis. The role of apoptosis in cadmium-induced toxicity was further evaluated using the fluorescent marker annexin V, which detects externalization of cell membrane phosphatidylserine. Nuclear changes associated with apoptosis were assessed by Hoechst staining and a DNA fragmentation assay. A significant increase in annexin V-positive cells was observed following CdCl2 treatment. Nuclear changes associated with apoptosis, including marginalization and condensing of chromatin and DNA fragmentation, were also observed following CdCl2 treatment. Cadmium-induced apoptosis in Saos-2 cells was also accompanied by an increase in caspase-3 activity. The addition of the caspase-3 inhibitor N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde (Ac-DEVD-CHO) or the known cadmium chelating agent potassium bis(2-hydroxyethy)dithiocarbamate, (K[bhedtc]), blocked caspase-3 activation induced by cadmium. Collectively, this study has identified a role for apoptosis in cadmium-induced toxicity in bone cells, and provides insight for future studies on mechanisms underlying the disruption of apoptotic signaling cascades in bone and the relationship to bone disease.
authors: Department of Biology, Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho 83605, USA.
authors: K G
authors: KG
authors: Coonse
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Coonts
authors: E V
authors: EV
authors: Morrison
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Heggland
mesh_terms: D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D053148:Caspase 3; D019256:Cadmium Chloride