title: [Interleukin-37 induces apoptosis and autophagy of SMMC-7721 cells by inhibiting phosphorylation of mTOR].
abstract: Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism by which interleukin-37 (IL-37) induces the apoptosis and autophagy in SMMC-7721 cells. Methods SMMC-7721 cells were incubated in vitro and divided into two groups, IL-37 treated group and control group. The cells were treated with (50, 100, 200) ng/mL of recombinant human interleukin-37 (rhIL-37). CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins, Bax, Bcl-2, and autophagy related proteins, microtubule-associated proteins 1 light chain 3 (LC3), beclin 1 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the ultrastructures of autophagosomes. Results The rhIL-37 inhibited the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. It induced the apoptosis and autophagy in SMMC-7721 cells. In the IL-37 treated group, the levels of Bax, LC3 and beclin 1 increased but Bcl-2 decreased. The phosphorylation of mTOR was inhibited in the IL-37 treated group. Autophagosome was obvious in the IL-37 treated group. Conclusion IL-37 induces the apoptosis and autophagy in SMMC-7721 cells, which may be related to the phosphorylation of mTOR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
authors.forename: Junliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail: wzjtcy@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhongjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001343:Autophagy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C508587:IL37 protein, human; D007375:Interleukin-1; C546842:MTOR protein, human; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases