PX-12 induces apoptosis in Calu-6 cells in an oxidative stress-dependent manner

Tumour Biol. 2015 Mar;36(3):2087-95. doi: 10.1007/s13277-014-2816-x. Epub 2014 Nov 13.

Abstract

PX-12 (1-methylpropyl 2-imidazolyl disulfide) as a thioredoxin (Trx) inhibitor has an anti-tumor effect. However, there is no report about the toxicological effect of PX-12 on lung cancer cells. Here, we investigated the anti-growth effects of PX-12 on Calu-6 lung cancer cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. PX-12 induced the growth inhibition of Calu-6 cells with IC50 of nearly 3 μM at 72 h. In contrast, PX-12 did not affect the growth of human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs). Cell cycle distribution analysis indicated that PX-12 significantly induced a G2/M phase arrest in Calu-6 cells. PX-12 also increased the number of annexin V-FITC-positive cells in Calu-6 cells. All the tested caspase inhibitors markedly prevented Calu-6 cell death induced by PX-12. With regard to ROS and GSH levels, PX-12 increased ROS levels containing O2(·-) in Calu-6 cells and induced the depletion of GSH. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which is a well-known antioxidant, significantly reduced O2(·-) level in PX-12-treated Calu-6 cells and prevented apoptosis and GSH depletion in these cells. In conclusion, it is the first report that PX-12 inhibited the growth of Calu-6 cells via a G2/M phase arrest as well as apoptosis, which effect was related to the intracellular increases in ROS levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / metabolism
  • Annexin A5 / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disulfides / pharmacology*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / analogs & derivatives
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Annexin A5
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Disulfides
  • FITC-annexin A5
  • Imidazoles
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • 1-methylpropyl-2-imidazolyl disulfide
  • Glutathione
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Acetylcysteine