Brefeldin-A induces apoptosis in human adenoid cystic carcinoma cultured cells

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary glands is characterized by a high rate of local recurrences, neurotropism and metastasis. ACC long-term survival rate is not promising. Thus, different chemotherapeutical approaches had been proposed for this neoplasm, including apoptosis induction by different drugs. This work evaluates the efficacy of Brefeldin-A (BFA), a potent apoptosis inducer, on ACC cultured cells (CAC2 cell line). CAC2 cells were treated with a 375 μM BFA solution in serum-free medium during 18 h. CAC2 cells grown in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum served as controls. Apoptotic cell recognition and counting were carried out through Hoechst staining. Transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence assessed the effect of BFA on CAC2 cells phenotype. Treated cultures showed a high apoptotic index presenting ±30% of cells in evident apoptosis, when compared to controls. Apoptotic CAC2 cells also exhibited different alterations such as cytoplasmic vesicles formation and mitochondrial changes. Cultured ACC cells are strongly susceptible to apoptosis induction under BFA treatment, which may constitute a promising tool in further chemotherapeutical approaches.