Interferon-a induces apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells in vitro

Abstract

Objective To study the mechanism of interferon-α in hemangioma treatment. Methods The hemangioma vascular endothelial cells isolated from hemangioma were cultured. The cells were treated with 1×104 U, 1×105 U, 1×106U interferon-α fior 24 hours. The changes of cell cycles and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Results The percentage of G1 phase cells increased with the increasing concentration of interferon-α, and the hypodiploid apoptosis peak appeared before G1 phase. In the interferon-α treated groups (1×104 U,1×105 U, 1×106 U), the percentage of G1 phase were (63. 68 ± 0.66) %, (72. 97 ± 1.56) %, (63.27 ± 5.64) %respectively whereas in the control group, it was (58. 75 ± 0. 32) %. The percentages of S phase cells in the treated groups were (32. 99 ±2. 01 ) %, (25.02 ± 1.31 ) %, (37.93 ± 5.31 ) %, respectively whereas in the control group, it was (26.46±1.94) %. The percentage of G2/M phase were (0.01 ± 0.05) %, (2. 43 ± 0. 27) %, (3. 99 ±1.27) %. The percentage of S phase cells in the treated and the control groups showed no statistically significant change (P＞0.05). The G1, G2/M phase percentage of each group revealed significant differences (P＜0.01). The apoptosis rates in the treated groups were (11.89 ± 0. 56)%, (18.88 ±3.04) %, (31.92 ± 1.92) % respectively. Compared to the control group of 3.25 ± 0.2) %, the apoptosis rates were increased (P＜0.01 ). Conclusions The mechanisms of the interferon-α in hemangioma treatment might be related with G1, G2 arrest and apoptosis. The rate of apoptosis increase was dose-dependent. Key words: Hemangioma; Endothelial cells; Cell culture; Interferon-alpha; Apoptosis; Cell cycle