[Indomethacin-induced HL-60 leukemic cell apoptosis and the activation of C-jun NH2- terminal kinase signal transduction pathway].

Objective: To observe the effect of indomethacin on inhibiting the proliferation of HL-60 cells and inducing HL-60 cells apoptosis and to explore the activation of C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway in mediating indomethacin-induced HL-60 cell apoptosis.

Methods: The cell viability was determined by Trypan blue staining and the state of cell proliferation was analyzed; DNA ladder pattern and AO/EB staining were applied to identify the cell apoptosis; the apoptotic signal proteins including caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP and the proteins of JNK signal pathway such as MEK4, JNK, P-JNK, and P-C-Jun, were detected by Western blotting.

Results: Indomethacin at 200 to approximately 400 micromol significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced the cell apoptosis in a time- or concentration-dependent manner; caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP were cleaved and activated in undergoing apoptotic cells; and the expressions of MEK4, P-JNK, and P-C-Jun were upregulated with the increase of indomethacin concentration.

Conclusion: Indomethacin can inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cell and induce leukemic cell apoptosis. The activation of JNK signal transduction pathway mediates the event of indomethacin-induced HL-60 cell apoptosis. JNK signal pathway is located in the upstream of caspase signal pathway.