title: Cadmium-induced apoptosis of Siberian tiger fibroblasts via disrupted intracellular homeostasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heavy metals can cause great harm to Siberian tigers in the natural environment. Cadmium (Cd2+) is an environmental contaminant that affects multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. It has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell types and tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We investigated the apoptotic effects of Cd2+on Siberian tiger fibroblasts in vitro. Our research revealed the typical signs of apoptosis after Cd2+exposure. Apoptosis was dose- (0-4.8 μM) and duration-dependent (12-48 h), and proliferation was strongly inhibited. Cd2+increased the activity of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and disrupted calcium homeostasis by causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also increased K+efflux and altered the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-8, Fas, and p53.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that Cd2+triggers the apoptosis of Siberian tiger fibroblasts by disturbing intracellular homeostasis. These results will aid in our understanding of the effects of Cd2+on Siberian tigers and in developing interventions to treat and prevent cadmium poisoning.
authors: Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China.|Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China.
authors: Zheng
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors: Wenxiu
authors: W
authors: Zhang
authors: Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors: Ziao
authors: Z
authors: Yuan
authors: Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors: Hongyi
authors: H
authors: Yuan
authors: Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
authors: Xueting
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: College of Life Science and Technology, Mudanjiang Normal University, Mudanjiang, 157012, China.
authors: Chunwen
authors: C
authors: Yang
authors: Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China. guanweijun@outlook.com.
authors: Weijun
authors: W
authors: Guan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D020169:Caspases / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D004249:DNA Damage; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D048348:Reverse Transcription; D012800:Siberia; D046010:Tigers
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002104:Cadmium; D020169:Caspases
keywords: Apoptosis; Cadmium; Calcium; Fibroblast; Siberian tiger