Effects of leflunomide on the proliferation and apoptosis of the lipopolysaccharide-induced HaCaT cells

Objective To observe the proliferation and apoptosis of the lipopolysaccharide( LPS)-induced HaCaT cells in the presence of the active leflunomide metabolite A771726. Methods MTT was used to detect the level of cell proliferation; flow cytometry( FCM) was used to detect apoptosis of HaCaT cells; inverted phase contrast microscope( IPCM) was used to observe morphologic changes. Results The A771726 significantly inhibited the proliferation of LPS-induced HaCaT cells,the inhibition effect was concentration-and-time dependent; the A771726 promoted cell apoptosis and the apoptosis rate increased with its concentration,the LPS group showed dense monolayer cells under an inverted microscope,as the concentration of the A771726 increased,the volume of the cells got smaller and intercellular space got larger,and the more vacuoles was observed in the cells. Conclusion Leflunomide can inhibit the proliferation of the LPS induced HaCaT cells and expedite their apoptosis,which may be one of the mechanisms of leflunomide in the treatment of psoriasis.