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Differential apoptotic response in normal and virus‐transformed human cells
Author(s) -
Maczis Melissa A,
Birckbichler Paul J
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.943.16
Subject(s) - sodium butyrate , apoptosis , trypan blue , propidium iodide , ionophore , butyrate , calcium , cancer cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cell culture , viability assay , cell , chemistry , programmed cell death , biology , biochemistry , cancer , genetics , organic chemistry , fermentation
Human fibroblasts (WI‐38) and their simian virus‐transformed counterparts (VA13a), a paired cell system, represent a unique model for experimentation. WI‐38 cells demonstrated contact inhibition of growth, whereas, the VA13a counterpart continued to proliferate forming multiple cell layers. The objective of the study was to treat WI‐38 and VA13a cells with sodium butyrate to produce a differential effect, namely the transformed cells would undergo apoptosis, while normal cells would not. A combined treatment of sodium butyrate and calcium ionophore (A23187) would produce apoptosis in both cell lines. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion and Hoechst/propidium iodide assay was used to monitor apoptosis. Sodium butyrate‐treated VA13a cells showed an altered “normal” morphology. Treatment with calcium ionophore primed the cells for apoptosis allowing for the formation of the isopeptide crosslinks. Applied clinically, this approach has the potential to produce a differential chemical response in the transformed (cancer) cells. Support for the study was provided by Slippery Rock University and the College of Health, Environment and Science student/faculty grants.