title: Induction of Apoptosis in U937 Cells by Using a Combination of Bortezomib and Low-Intensity Ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND We scrutinized the feasibility of apoptosis induction in blood cancer cells by means of low-intensity ultrasound and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade). MATERIAL AND METHODS Human leukemic monocyte lymphoma U937 cells were subjected to ultrasound in the presence of bortezomib and the echo contrast agent Sonazoid. Two types of acoustic intensity (0.18 W/cm² and 0.05 W/cm²) were used for the experiments. Treated U937 cells were analyzed for viability and levels of early and late apoptosis. In addition, scanning electron microscopy analysis of treated cells was performed. RESULTS The percentage of cells that underwent early apoptosis in the group treated with ultrasound and Sonazoid was 8.0±1.31% (intensity 0.18 W/cm²) and 7.0±1.69% (0.05 W/cm²). However, coupling of bortezomib and Sonazoid resulted in an increase in the percentage of cells in the early apoptosis phase, up to 32.50±3.59% (intensity 0.18 W/cm²) and 33.0±4.90% (0.05 W/cm²). The percentage of U937 cells in the late apoptosis stage was not significantly different from that in the group treated with bortezomib only. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate the feasibility of apoptosis induction in blood cancer cells by using a combination of bortezomib, ultrasound contrast agents, and low-intensity ultrasound.
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saliev
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Loreto B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Feril
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Dinara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Begimbetova
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Askhat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molkenov
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Dauren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alimbetov
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tachibana
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069286:Bortezomib / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D020298:U937 Cells; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D000069286:Bortezomib