Effects of spider Macrothele raven venom on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity in HeLa cells

• 来源期刊: 中国药理学报（英文版）
• 关键词: HeLa cells spider venom cell proliferation cytotoxicity cell cycle caspase-3 expression
• 年，卷（期）: 2005,（3）
• 页码范围: 369-376
• 页数: 8页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Aim: To examine the effect of venom from the spider Macrothele raven on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity in human cervical carcinoma, HeLa cells. Methods:Morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis appeared using acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Marked morphological changes in HeLa cells after treatment with spider venom were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by [methyl-3H] thymidine assay ([3H]TdR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, respectively. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution were monitored using flow cytometry. In addition, Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of caspase-3 expression. In vivo examination of the inhibition of the size of tumors in nude mice treated with spider venom was measured. Results: Marked morphological changes were observed using AO/EB staining, SEM and TEM assay. Spider venom at concentrations of 10-40 mg/L caused dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation.The ratio of apoptosis and necrosis increased. The activity of caspase-3 was upregulated after spider venom treatment. In vivo study of tumor size revealed that tumors significantly decreased in size from controls to tumors treated for 3 weeks with spider venom (P＜0.05). Conclusion: The inhibition of HeLa cells by the venom of the spider Macrothele raveni was carried out in three ways: induction of apoptosis, necrosis of toxicity damage and direct lysis. Spider venom is a novel anti-tumor material both in vitro and in vivo.