Apoptostic effect of arsenic trioxide on human coronary smooth muscle cells in vitro

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on human coronary smooth muscle cells(HCSMCs). Method After the subculture of HCASMCs, cells were divided into 4 groups: control group and three arsenic trioxide (4.0 μmol/L) groups as the arsenic agent co-cultured with cells for 12,24 and 48 h. Flow cytometry and TUNEL were used for counting the ntmnber of cell apoptosis. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of E2F-1 mRNA and Western blot was used to measure the levels of Bcl-2 ond Bax. Results Arsenic trioxide inhibited the proliferation of HCASMCs. When arsenic trioxide was 4.0 μmol/L, the living cells were ( 8.44 ±0.10) × 105/mL,signifiantly than that of control group (16.44 ± 1.34) × 105/mL, P ＜ 0.05. This inhibition of proliferation cycle was produced by affecting S and G2-M phase, which did not appear in the control group. Apoptotic cells increased from 16.0% ± 3.1% to 38.7% ± 2.7% (P ＜ 0.05) detected by TUNEL. The arsenic agnet decreased the Bcl-2 level and increased Bax. The expression of E2F-1 mRNA was decreased in 4.0 μmol/L arsenic trioxide group. Conclusions Arsenic trioxide exerts the apoptotic effect on human coronary smooth muscle cells. Key words: Arsenic trioxide; Smooth muscle cell; Apoptosis; Coronary angioplasty; Restenosis