Experimental study of the apoptosis on renal carcinoma cell line 789-0 induced by arsenic trioxide and interferon-α

Objective:To study the apoptosis effect of different concentration arsenic trioxide(As2O3) on renal carcinoma cell line 789-0,and the synergistic effect of combination with IFN-α,as well as to probe its mechanism.Methods:MTT assay was used to test the effects of As2O3 alone and combination with IFN-α on cell proliferation of 789-0.Cell cycle phase distribution and apoptosis of 789-0 cell were measured by flow cytometry(FCM).Results:The concentration of As2O3 within 0.5-4μmol/L can inhibit the proliferation of 789-0 cell to some extent,increasing with the dosage.The inhibition rate on cell proliferation increased more significantly by combination with 1000IU IFN-α than by the same concentration As2O3 alone,showing the synergistic effect.48 hours after 2.83μmol/L As2O3(IC50) was applied to 789-0 cell,G2/M phase was blocked,and the feature of apoptosis was notable.After the combination with IFN-α,G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase were both blocked,the apoptosis rate increased significantly.Conclusion:As2O3 can inhibit renal carcinoma cell line 789-0 from proliferation,and induce apoptosis.The combination of As2O3 and IFN-α has a synergistic effect.This may be related to the interference on the different phase of the cell cycle.