Objective: To investigate the anti-tumor effects and the mechanism of the recombinant fowlpox virus expressing Apoptin gene on human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2.
Method: Hep-2 cells cultured in vitro were infected with vFVApoptin. The anti-tumor effects on Hep-2 cells were measured through MTT staining and, the mitochondrial trans-membrane potential (delta psi m) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the release of cytochrome c (Cyto c). Caspase-3/9 activities were measured by colorimetric assay.
Result: vFVApoptin could restrain Hep-2 cells significantly and, had the function of down-regulating delta psi m, up-regulating ROS, promoting Cyto c release and activating Caspase-3/9.
Conclusion: Cyto c were released from mitochondria by the function of up-regulating ROS of vFVApoptin. Cyto c triggered Caspase-9 and, after the activation of Caspase-9, downstream apoptotic factors, such as caspase-3, were activated. Eventually, Hep-2 cells were suppressed by mitochondrial pathway apoptosis induced by vFVApoptin.