Interferon Alpha Induced Apoptosis in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Line CNE2 and Its Possible Mechanism

Objective: To study the effects of interferon α(IFNα) on proliferation and apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2.Methods: Protein expression of caspase-3 and pAKT were analyzed by Western blots in two groups.The inhibition of proliferation of IFNα in CNE2 cells was estimated by XTT assay.Flow cytometry was used to examine the rate of apoptosis.Results: Protein levels for pAkt was significantly lower in CNE2 cell line after treatment with IFNα than in the control group.The increased expression of caspase-3 was observed in CNE2 cell line.The proliferation of CNE2 cells was significantly inhibited by IFNα in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner.Flow cytometry(AnnexinV/PI) indicated that the rate of apoptiosis early were respectively 23.42% and 4.5% in IFNα group and control group(P0.05).Conclusion: IFNα could inhibit the proliferation of the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 and induce apoptiosis,and has direct anti-tumor effects on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell.