Eventos apoptóticos induzidos pelo Lauril Galato sobre células de leucemia mielóide aguda humana K562

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the sensibility of human myeloid leukemia cells (K562) to the derivative of gallic acid # laurylgallate as well as the cytotoxicity of involved mechanisms. Methods: The leukemic cell line used was K562 (derived from myelogenous leukemia) and the alkyl ester of gallic acid used for this study was laurylgallate. The cell viability was determined by MTT colorimeter method. The induction of apoptosis was assessed by the exposition of phosphatidylserine (PS) (ANNEXIN V-FITC®), DNA fragmentation assay and characteristic cell morphological features. The analysis of cell cycle phase was carried out by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining. Immunocytochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of the proteins regulators of apoptosis as: caspase-3; protein inhibitor-of-apoptosis survivin; antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Results: Laurylgallate cytotoxic effect on K562 cells was shown to be concentration-dependent with an EC50 of 200 ìM (47,7% ± 2%) after 48 hours. Laurylgallate induced exposition of PS, fragmentation of DNA and cell morphological changes (12-24 h of incubation) on K562 cells. Apoptosis induction was accompanied by both the arrest at the S and G2M phase of cell cycle; as well as an increase of the caspase-3 expression; a decrease of the survivin expression and Bcl-2; and an increase of the AIF expression. Conclusion: Laurylgallate induces apoptosis on K562 cells and decreases the percentage of cells in S-G2M phases of cell cycle. These findings suggested that the mechanism in which laurylgallate inhibits the growth of tumor cells takes place not only by apoptosis, but also by cell cycle alterations. Therefore, apoptosis is associated with the inhibition of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and survivin, consequently increasing AIF release and increase of the expression of the caspase-3. These results suggest that there is a potential use of laurylgallate as a new therapeutic strategy in the downstream of apoptosis in tumor cells.