Aim: To investigate the effects of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) on 2 myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and U937, and to explore its mechanisms.
Methods: Human myeloid leukemia cells HL-60 and U937 were used. Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (Dym) was performed using 5,5',6,6'-Tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'- tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide ( JC-1). Apoptosis and cellular nitric oxide (NO) were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V and NO sensor dye. Superoxide anion was measured with a fluorescent plate reader by dihydroethidium (DHE). Cytotoxicity was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium assay.
Results: 2-ME resulted in viability decrease in a dose-dependent manner. 2-ME treatment also generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), including NO and superoxide anions, which resulted in mitochondria damage. 2-ME-induced apoptosis was correlated with an increase in ROS. The quenching of ROS with N-acetyl-L-cysteine protected leukemia cells from 2-ME cytotoxicity and prevented apoptosis induction by 2-ME. Furthermore, the addition of manumycin, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, significantly enhanced apoptosis induced by 2-ME.
Conclusion: Cellular ROS generation plays an important role in the cytotoxic effect of 2-ME. It is possible to use ROS generation agents, such as manumycin, to enhance the antileukemic effect. The combination strategy needs further in vivo justification and may have potential clinical application.