The Effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes Extract on Apoptosis and Autophagy in human leukemic cell line (MOLT-4)

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on apoptosis and autophagy in the human leukemic cell line, MOLT-4.Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTS/PMS assay, and cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of mRNA implicated in apoptosis and ER-stress were investigated with RT-qPCR. Lastly, apoptosis- and autophagy-related protein expressions were measured by Western blot analysis.Results: RVS inhibited proliferation of MOLT-4 in a dose-dependent manner over 24, 48 and 72 hours. RVS treatment also induced an increase in subG1 phase. Exposure to RVS increased the expression of the mRNAs encoding Bax and caspase-3, while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA, suggesting that RVS induced apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells. Additionally, RVS extract up-regulated ER-stress related mRNAs such as IRE1α, CHOP, PERK and ATF6. Changes in RVS extract-induced apoptosis and autophagy proteins on MOLT-4 cells were also investigated. The level of Bcl-2 was decreased, whereas the levels of Bax, caspase-3, AMPK, Beclin-1, Atg5, p62, and LC3II were increased.Conclusion: These results suggest that RVS would be beneficial in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.