Open Access

Extracellular polymeric substance from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells

  • Authors:
    • Xing Xue
    • Ying Lv
    • Qing Liu
    • Xiaolan Zhang
    • Youhong Zhao
    • Lili Zhang
    • Shiyuan Xu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 16, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2644
  • Pages: 927-932
  • Copyright: © Xue et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) is a substance secreted during algal growth, which has been found to have numerous health‑promoting effects. In the present study, A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells were selected as target cells and cultivated in vitro as an experimental model to investigate the anti‑cancer effect of extracellular polymeric substances from Aphanizomenon flos‑aquae (EPS‑A) and the possible underlying mechanism. Apoptosis‑ and cell cycle‑associated molecules as well as the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells were quantified using flow cytometry (FCM). FCM showed that EPS‑A induced cell cycle arrest, which led to a loss of mitochondrial function of the A431 cells and an increase in necrotic and late apoptotic cells. In order to evaluate the apoptosis and cell viability, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was used, morphological changes were observed using fluorescence microscopy and typical apoptotic characteristics were observed. Following treatment with a high dose of EPS‑A, transmission electron microscopy showed nuclear fragmentation, chromosome condensation, cell shrinkage and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum; apoptotic bodies were also observed. In conclusion, EPS‑A caused cell cycle arrest, stimulated cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and exhibited important anti-cancer activity.
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September-2015
Volume 10 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Xue X, Lv Y, Liu Q, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Zhang L and Xu S: Extracellular polymeric substance from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Exp Ther Med 10: 927-932, 2015.
APA
Xue, X., Lv, Y., Liu, Q., Zhang, X., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., & Xu, S. (2015). Extracellular polymeric substance from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 10, 927-932. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2644
MLA
Xue, X., Lv, Y., Liu, Q., Zhang, X., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Xu, S."Extracellular polymeric substance from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 10.3 (2015): 927-932.
Chicago
Xue, X., Lv, Y., Liu, Q., Zhang, X., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Xu, S."Extracellular polymeric substance from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 10, no. 3 (2015): 927-932. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2644