Original Article
Role of reactive oxygen species-mitochondrial pathway in sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis of L-02 cells
Duan Tianxiao, Wu Changyan, Hu Ting, Hu Qian, Zhang Qi, Li Xiaozhi, Jian Wen, Luo Peng
Published 2020-01-20
Cite as Chin J Endemiol, 2020, 39(1): 4-9. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.2095-4255.2020.01.002
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of apoptosis induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) in human hepatic cells (L-02) through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and provide experimental evidence for the mechanism of arsenic poisoning.
MethodsL-02 cells were divided into control group, NaAsO2 group (10 μmol/L NaAsO 2), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (5 mmol/L NAC), and NaAsO2 + NAC group (10 μmol/L NaAsO 2, 5 mmol/L NAC), and were cultured in vitro for 24 h. The intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and cell apoptosis rate were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence probe, JC-1 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively; the mRNA and the protein of Caspase 3, cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and cytochrome C oxidaseⅣ (COXⅣ) were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.
ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in intracellular ROS levels (3 857 392.33 ± 44 928.39, 4 515 288.00 ± 32 660.64, 3 670 150.67 ± 101 987.69, 4 035 235.67 ± 99 995.30), mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratios (2.16 ± 0.54, 7.95 ± 0.52, 2.70 ± 0.29, 1.01 ± 0.23) and total apoptosis rates (1.45 ± 0.03, 4.27 ± 0.17, 1.87 ± 0.12, 2.52 ± 0.35) between groups (F = 62.62, 159.81, 112.70, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in Caspase 3, Cyt-C, COXⅣ mRNA expression levels ( F = 9.20, 7.33, 14.87, P < 0.05) and in cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C, COXⅣ protein expression levels( F = 31.42, 8.01, 83.30, P < 0.05) between groups. Compared with the control group, the intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and total apoptosis rate were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); Caspase3, Cyt-C mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased ( P < 0.05), and COXⅣ mRNA and cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C protein expression levels were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) in NaAsO 2 group. Compared with the NaAsO2 group, the intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and total apoptosis rate of NaAsO2 + NAC group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); the Caspase3, Cyt-C mRNA and cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C protein expression levels were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), the COX Ⅳ mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased ( P < 0.05).
ConclusionsNaAsO2 stimulates L-02 cells to produce excessive ROS, which induces mitochondrial depolarization and further triggers mitochondrial damage, resulting in increased release of Cyt-C and activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway that Caspase 3 protein induces apoptosis in L-02 cells, which may be one of the main mechanisms of arsenic-induced liver injury.
Key words:
Arsenicals; Reactive oxygen species; Mitochondria; Apoptosis; L-02 cell
Contributor Information
Duan Tianxiao
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Wu Changyan
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Hu Ting
the Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Hu Qian
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Zhang Qi
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Li Xiaozhi
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Jian Wen
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
Luo Peng
School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
the Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China