Cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil: Effect on endothelial differentiation via cell cycle inhibition in mouse embryonic stem cells

Toxicol In Vitro. 2009 Jun;23(4):719-27. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2009.02.012. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are known to characteristics for pluripotency and self-renewal, but the precise mechanisms of ES-derived cells to specific toxicants have not been determined. Here, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and see its effect on cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation in mouse ESC-derived endothelial differentiation. Mouse ESCs were exposed to 5-FU (10 microM) and combined with probucol (50 microM) for 24h, which is an antagonist of 5-FU. Changes in gene expression as a result of 5-FU exposure in mouse ESC-derived endothelial precursor cells (ES-EPCs) were assessed using an oligonucleotide microarray (AB1700). The expression of Oct-4 was decreased during the differentiation of mouse ESCs into endothelial cells; otherwise, the expression of PECAM was increased. Mouse ES-EPCs were shown to have a decrease in viability (49.8%) and PECAM expression, and induce G1/S phase (31.1%/60.6%) when compared with/without treatment of 5-FU. Expression of cell cycle-related proteins was increased in endothelial precursor cells exposed to 5-FU without probucol treatment. From theses results suggest that 5-FU inhibit endothelial differentiation as well as inducing the G1/S phase arrest. We propose that mouse ES-EPCs might be a useful tool for screening the cytotoxicity of compounds in endothelial cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology*
  • G1 Phase / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Mice
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
  • S Phase / drug effects

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Fluorouracil