Effect of platinum nanoparticles on cell death induced by ultrasound in human lymphoma U937 cells.

In this study, we report on the potential use of platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs), a superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase mimetic antioxidant, in combination with 1MHz ultrasound (US) at an intensity of 0.4 W/cm(2), 10% duty factor, 100 Hz PRF, for 2 min. Apoptosis induction was assessed by DNA fragmentation assay, cell cycle analysis and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining.

EPR-Spin Trapping and Flow Cytometric Studies of Free Radicals Generated Using Cold Atmospheric Argon Plasma and X-Ray Irradiation in Aqueous Solutions and Intracellular Milieu.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-spin trapping and flow cytometry were used to identify free radicals generated using argon-cold atmospheric plasma (Ar-CAP) in aqueous solutions and intracellularly in comparison with those generated by X-irradiation. Ar-CAP was generated using a high-voltage power supply unit with low-frequency excitation. The characteristics of Ar-CAP were estimated by vacuum UV absorption and emission spectra measurements.

Effects of SOD/catalase mimetic platinum nanoparticles on radiation-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells.

Since polyacrylic acid capped platinum nano-particles (nano-Pts) are known to have a unique ability to quench superoxide (O2(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the anti-oxidant activity of nano-Pts against apoptosis induced by x-irradiation in human lymphoma U937 cells was investigated. DNA fragmentation assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI by flow cytometry and Giemsa staining revealed a significant decrease in apoptosis induced by 10 Gy, when cells were pre-treated with nano-Pts in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with nano-Pts significantly decreased radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Fas expression and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential as determined by flow-cytometry.

Inactivation of DNA-dependent protein kinase promotes heat-induced apoptosis independently of heat-shock protein induction in human cancer cell lines.

The inhibition of DNA damage response pathway seems to be an attractive strategy for cancer therapy. It was previously reported that in rodent cells exposed to heat stress, cell growth was promoted by the activity of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), an enzyme involved in DNA non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) required for double-strand break repair. The absence of a functioning DNA-PK was associated with down regulation of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70).

Alkannin, HSP70 inducer, protects against UVB-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes.

Alkannin is an active constituent from the root extract of Alkanna tinctoria of the Boraginaceae family and it may have utility as a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) inducer in living organisms. Here, the effects of alkannin-induced HSP70 on ultraviolet (UV) B (40 mJ/cm(2))-induced apoptosis were investigated in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Pretreatment of cells with alkannin (1 µM) caused significant inhibition of UVB-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 cleavage.

Ultrasound activates ataxia telangiectasia mutated- and rad3-related (ATR)-checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) pathway in human leukemia Jurkat cells.

Low-intensity ultrasound (US) has been shown to induce death of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclarified. Here, we provide novel evidence that the inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) by a selective inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhances US-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Jurkat cells showed insignificant lysis immediately after US at any applied intensity, whereas approximately 70% of the cells were γH2AX-positive 30min after US at 0.

Inhibition of DNA-dependent protein kinase promotes ultrasound-induced cell death including apoptosis in human leukemia cells.

Ultrasound (US) has been shown to induce cell death in cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report a set of novel findings on the molecular mechanism. We found that Akt (also known as protein kinase B), a substrate of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), was phosphorylated in U937 cells nullified with p53 or Molt-4 cells artificially abrogated with p53 after US exposure.

Chemical inducers of heat shock proteins derived from medicinal plants and cytoprotective genes response.

Environmental stress induces damage that activates an adaptive response in any organism. The cellular stress response is based on the induction of cytoprotective proteins, the so-called stress or heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs are known to function as molecular chaperones which are involved in the therapeutic approach of many diseases.

DNA double-strand breaks induced by cavitational mechanical effects of ultrasound in cancer cell lines.

Ultrasonic technologies pervade the medical field: as a long established imaging modality in clinical diagnostics; and, with the emergence of targeted high intensity focused ultrasound, as a means of thermally ablating tumours. In parallel, the potential of [non-thermal] intermediate intensity ultrasound as a minimally invasive therapy is also being rigorously assessed. Here, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells has been observed, although definitive identification of the underlying mechanism has thus far remained elusive.

SOD/catalase mimetic platinum nanoparticles inhibit heat-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 and HH cells.

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are known to possess anti-tumouric activity and the ability to scavenge superoxides and peroxides indicating that they can act as superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase mimetics. These potentials seem useful in the protection and/or amelioration of oxidative stress-associated pathologies, but, when they are combined with a therapeutic modality that depends upon the mediation of reactive oxygen species in cell killing induction, the effect of Pt-NPs might be questionable. Here, the effects of polyacrylic acid-capped Pt-NPs (nano-Pts) on hyperthermia (HT)-induced apoptosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in human myelomonocytic lymphoma U937 and human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma HH cells.

Ultrasound-induced apoptosis in the presence of Sonazoid and associated alterations in gene expression levels: a possible therapeutic application.

Ultrasound (US) has been shown to induce apoptosis and cell lysis in cancer cells. In this study, we report on the potential of using Sonazoid, a new echo-contrast agent, that is chemically more stable and US-resistant in combination with US in cancer therapy. The biological effects and their mechanisms in the presence or absence of ultrasonic exposure in vitro were investigated.