Effect of SALL4 on radiosensitivity of leukemia cell line HL-60

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of down-regulating SALL4 on the radiosensitivity of leukemia cells, aiming to provide new ideas for improving radiosensitivity of leukemia patients. Methods Human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60 infected with shRNA SALL4 and shRNA control lentivirus was classified into the Lv-shSALL4 group and Lv-shNC group. The levels of SALL4 mRNA and protein in cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The infected cells treated with 8 Gy dose irradiation were assigned into the Lv-shSALL4+ radiation and Lv-shNC+ radiation groups. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9 and Bax proteins in cells were determined by Western blot. The cells in the Lv-shSALL4 and Lv-shNC groups were exposed to 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy irradiation. The radiosensitivity ratio was determined by cell clone test. Results The level of SALL4 in the Lv-shSALL4 group was significantly lower than that in the Lv-shNC group (P<0.05). The cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the levels of cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9 and Bax proteins were remarkably up-regulated in cells compared with those in the Lv-shNC group (all P<0.05). The cell proliferation ability in the Lv-shSALL4+ radiation was significantly reduced, the cell apoptosis rate was considerably increased, the levels of cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9 and Bax proteins were significantly up-regulated compared with those in the Lv-shSALL4 and Lv-shNC+ radiation groups (all P<0.05). The cell radiosensitization ratio in the Lv-shSALL4 group was 1.323. Conclusion Down-regulating SALL4 can increase the radiosensitivity of leukemic cells, inhibit the cell proliferation and induce the apoptosis of leukemic cells. Key words: SALL4 gene; HL-60 cell line; Radiosensitivity