Open Access

Pioglitazone mediates apoptosis in Caki cells via downregulating c‑FLIP(L) expression and reducing Bcl‑2 protein stability

  • Authors:
    • Ji Hoon Jang
    • Tae-Jin Lee
    • Eon-Gi Sung
    • In-Hwan Song
    • Joo-Young Kim
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 20, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13004
  • Article Number: 743
  • Copyright: © Jang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Pioglitazone is an anti‑diabetic agent used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which belongs to the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) group. TZDs target peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which functions as a transcription factor of the nuclear hormone receptor. Pioglitazone has antitumor effects in several cancer types and could be a tool for drug therapy in various cancer treatments. Nevertheless, the molecular basis for pioglitazone‑induced anticancer effects in renal cancer (RC) has not yet been elucidated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the detailed signaling pathway underlying pioglitazone‑induced apoptosis in Caki cells derived from human clear cell renal cell carcinoma. As a result, it was demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis and Annexin V‑propidium iodide staining that pioglitazone treatment induced apoptotic cell death in a dose‑dependent manner in Caki cells. The protein expression levels of cellular FLICE (FADD‑like IL‑1β‑converting enzyme)‑inhibitory protein (c‑FLIP)(L) and Bcl‑2, which were determined by western blotting, decreased after pioglitazone treatment in Caki cells. Flow cytometry and western blot analyses demonstrated that pioglitazone‑mediated apoptosis was blocked following pretreatment with the pan‑caspase inhibitor, z‑VAD‑fmk, indicating that pioglitazone‑induced apoptosis was mediated via a caspase‑dependent signaling pathway. However, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, N‑acetylcysteine (NAC), did not affect pioglitazone‑mediated apoptosis and degradation of c‑FLIP(L) and Bcl‑2 protein. Of note, it was found by western blot analysis that Bcl‑2 protein expression was downregulated by the decreased protein stability of Bcl‑2 in pioglitazone‑treated Caki cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that pioglitazone‑induced apoptosis is regulated through caspase‑mediated degradation of FLIP(L) and reduction of Bcl‑2 protein stability, suggesting that pioglitazone is a feasible apoptotic agent that could be used in the treatment of human RC.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

October-2021
Volume 22 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Jang J, Lee T, Sung E, Song I and Kim J: Pioglitazone mediates apoptosis in Caki cells via downregulating c‑FLIP<sub>(L)</sub> expression and reducing Bcl‑2 protein stability. Oncol Lett 22: 743, 2021
APA
Jang, J., Lee, T., Sung, E., Song, I., & Kim, J. (2021). Pioglitazone mediates apoptosis in Caki cells via downregulating c‑FLIP<sub>(L)</sub> expression and reducing Bcl‑2 protein stability. Oncology Letters, 22, 743. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13004
MLA
Jang, J., Lee, T., Sung, E., Song, I., Kim, J."Pioglitazone mediates apoptosis in Caki cells via downregulating c‑FLIP<sub>(L)</sub> expression and reducing Bcl‑2 protein stability". Oncology Letters 22.4 (2021): 743.
Chicago
Jang, J., Lee, T., Sung, E., Song, I., Kim, J."Pioglitazone mediates apoptosis in Caki cells via downregulating c‑FLIP<sub>(L)</sub> expression and reducing Bcl‑2 protein stability". Oncology Letters 22, no. 4 (2021): 743. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13004