Study on inhibition of 2-methoxyestradiol on proliferation in endometrial carcinoma cells

Objective To investigate the inhibition of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) on proliferation and apoptosis in human endometrial cell line KLE in vitro. Method Endometrial cancer cell line KLE originated from human endometrial adenocarcinoma was cultured in vitro. Study group (2-ME in different concentrations.) and control group without 2-ME . Cell proliferation was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-2,5-dipheny tertrazolium blue (MTT) colorimetric assay; Cell cycle and apoptotic percentage were detected by flow cytometry (FCM); morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed by electron microscopy; Clone forming test was used to determine the proliferating capability after 2-ME treatment. Results 2-ME inhibited KLE cells growth significantly in a does-dependent and time-dependent manner(P0.01). After treatment with 2-ME ,the enhanced G_0/G_1 arrest was accompanied with the enhanced apoptotic peak and percentage, as well apoptotic cells were found more than those in control group(P0.05). By electron microscopy, there were many morphological characteristics of apoptosis including compaction and margination of nuclear chromatin, nuclear fragments and apoptotic bodies. Conclusions It is suggested in the present study that 2-ME can inhibit the proliferation of KLE cells in vitro and induce them apoptosis.