Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2024, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (1): 9-15,20.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2024.01.002

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Role of autophagy in alpha particle-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells

YANG Li, SHAO Shuai, WU Yunyun, WANG Chengfang, QU Gonglin, YAN Haoyu, GOU Qiao   

  1. Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
  • Received:2023-10-16 Revised:2023-12-26 Online:2024-02-19 Published:2024-02-19

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of autophagy in malignant transformation of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells BEP2D induced by alpha particle radiation. METHODS: Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy related proteins(LC3B-II, LC3B-I and P62) in alpha particles exposed BEP2D and in exposed malignant transformed cell line BERP35T-1. Intracellular autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. BERP35T-1 cells were also treated with 40 and 60 μmol/L autophagy inhibitor chloroquine(CQ) and 25 pmol/L autophagy activator Rapamycin(Rapa), respectively, for detection of of LC3Bs and P62. Survival rates of cells were measured by CCK-8, invasion ability by the Transwell invasion assay, and the migration ability by the scratch healing assay. RESULTS: Compared with BEP2D cells, the numbers of autophagosomes in RH24 and BERP35T-1 cells were increased, LC3B-II/I protein ratio increased, and P62 protein expression decreased. After treatment with 40 and 60 μmol/L CQ for 48 h, the LC3B-II/I protein ratio and the expression level of P62 protein in BERP35T-1 cells were increased, and the cell survival rate, invasion number and scratch closure rate decreased(all P<0.01). After treatment with 25 pmol/L Rapa for48 h, the LC3B-II/I protein ratios were increased, the expression of P62 protein decreased, and the survival rate of BERP35T-1 cells, invasion number and scratch closure rate were increased(P<0.05 or 0.01).CONCLUSION: During the alpha particle-induced malignant transformation of BEP2D cells, autophagy was enhanced which was associated with increased ability of cell proliferation, invasion and migration.

Key words: autophagy, alpha particle, human bronchial epithelial cells, canceration, lung cancer

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