title: Induction of apoptosis in infantile hemangioma endothelial cells by propranolol.
abstract: Propranolol, a non-selective β-blocker, is emerging as an effective treatment for complicated hemangiomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the therapeutic effects of propranolol against hemangiomas, using primary infantile hemangioma endothelial cells (IHECs). IHECs were treated with various concentrations of propranolol and morphological changes and apoptosis were assessed. Changes in the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were examined. Annexin-V staining revealed that propranolol at 40, 50 and 60μg/ml caused a concentration-dependent increase in the apoptosis of IHECs. Morphological analyses revealed that exposure to 50μg/ml propranolol resulted in typical apoptotic changes, including shrinkage, the formation of apoptotic bodies and retention of plasma membrane integrity. Gene expression analyses revealed that propranolol treatment led to a marked increase in the expression of caspase-8, cytochromec, apoptosis-inducing factor, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, as well as a concomitant reduction in lamin B1 expression. Our data collectively demonstrate that propranolol induces apoptosis of IHECs through activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which represents an important mechanism for its therapeutic effects against infantile hemangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jun-Bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Rui-Zhao
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xiao-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Quan-Yan
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Parukjan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pattar
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: apoptosis; hemangioma; mechanism; mitochondria; propranolol