title: Vanillin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent which selectively kills cancer cells with little effect on normal cells. However, TRAIL resistance is widely found in cancer cells. We have previously reported antimetatstatic and antiangiogenic effects of vanillin, a flavoring agent from vanilla. Here we have evaluated the sensitizing effect of vanillin on a TRAIL-resistant human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell viability after treatments was determined by the WST-1 cell counting kit. Apoptosis was demonstrated by detection of caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase using immunoblot analysis. Effect of treatments on TRAIL signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappaB (FN-kappaB) activation was studied using immunoblot analysis and luciferase reporter assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pretreatment of HeLa cells with vanillin enhanced TRAIL-induced cell death through the apoptosis pathway. Vanillin pretreatment inhibited TRAIL-induced phosphorylation of p65 and transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vanillin sensitizes HeLa cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kriengsak
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lirdprapamongkol
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Orawin
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Prangsaengtong
authors.forename: Amornrat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viriyaroj
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruchirawat
authors.forename: Jisnuson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Svasti
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saiki
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001547:Benzaldehydes; D016328:NF-kappa B; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C100058:vanillin; D008156:Luciferases