Immunohistochemical localization of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax in U87 glioblastoma xenografts.
Development of new therapies for glioblastoma requires animal models that mimic the biological characteristics of human brain tumors. On the other hand, potential antitumoral effects of a new therapeutic strategy are often established by evaluation of tumor cells apoptosis. Caspases are key mediators in the regulation and execution of apoptosis. Caspase-9 is activated during the intrinsic pathway downstream of mitochondria while caspase-3 is an effector caspase that initiates degradation of the cell in the final stages of apoptosis. Bax is a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family that play key roles in the regulation of intrinsic apoptotic signaling. In the present study we investigated the immunohistochemical distribution of caspase 3, 9 and Bax in intracranial U87 glioblastoma xenograft. Immunohistochemistry showed that the glioblastoma xenografts contain cells positive for caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax.
Zarnescu
Otilia
O
Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, R-050095 Bucharest, Romania. otilia@bio.unibuc.ro
Brehar
Felix Mircea
FM
Chivu
Mihaela
M
Ciurea
Alexandru Vladimir
AV
D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9