Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze cell viability and expression of apoptotic-related signaling proteins in MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced by combinations of ultrasound, the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the ultrasound contrast agent Optison. MCF-7 cells were treated with 5-FU and sonicated at the frequency of 3.0 MHz and intensity of 3.0 W/cm2 for 1 min in the presence of Optison. The cells were analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release (a measure of cytotoxicity) and cell proliferation (by MTT assays). The LDH/MTT ratio was used for assessment of cell death. Expression of the apoptotic-related proteins, Bax and p27kip1, as well as phosphorylated forms of ERK and Akt proteins was assessed by Western blot analysis. We demonstrate that, immediately after treatment, cell death was most dependent on Optison; however, 24 h after treatment, cell death was more dependent on 5-FU. Ultrasound duty cycle increased cell death associated with either Optison or 5-FU. Furthermore, we show that treatment with 5-FU and ultrasound increased the levels of the Bax and p27kip1proteins, but the addition of Optison appears to suppress apoptotic protein expression. (E-mail: [email protected]).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 751-758 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2006 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank Dr. Irina Larina for technical support in the experiments. These studies were supported in part by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (grant #DAMD17–01 to 1–0416), the Texas Advanced Technology Program (grant #004952 to 0088–2001) and NIH (RO1-CA104748).
Keywords
- 5-Fluorouracil
- MCF-7 cells
- Optison
- Ultrasonication
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Biophysics
- Acoustics and Ultrasonics