title: Effects of Propofol on Several Membrane Characteristics of Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although significant advances have been made toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol on tumor cell metastasis, less is known regarding how cell membrane and cytoskeletal ultrastructure are affected in this process. Here, we investigated the relationship between cell morphology and cell size, which are features mainly defined by the cytoskeleton.
  
  
  METHODS
  To confirm the effects of propofol on the migratory ability of human cervical carcinoma cells, cell migration and invasion were examined through scratch wound healing and transwell membrane assays. Furthermore, HeLa cells cultivated with different concentrations of propofol were examined by confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the mean optical density and migration ability of these cells were also assessed. In addition, cell membrane morphology was inspected using AFM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the wound healing and transwell membrane assays indicated that propofol decreases the migratory ability of cervical carcinoma cells compared to control cells. A comparative analysis of the test results revealed that short-term (3 h) exposure to propofol induced marked changes in cell membrane microstructure and in the cytoskeleton in a dose-dependent manner. These morphological changes in the cell membrane were accompanied by cytoskeleton (F-actin) derangement. The present findings demonstrate a close relationship between changes in cell membrane ultrastructure and cytoskeletal alterations (F-actin) in propofol-treated HeLa cells. AFM scanning analysis showed that cell membrane ultrastructure was significantly changed, including a clear reduction in membrane roughness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The influence of propofol on the HeLa cell cytoskeleton can be directly reflected by changes in cellular morphology, as assessed by AFM. Moreover, the use of AFM is a good method for investigating propofol-mediated changes within cytoskeletal ultrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Changsong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yinghua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Shuping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuanfei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yanpeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ci
authors.forename: Jinghe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Anqi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Enyou
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D015742:Propofol