Ultrasound hyperthermia induces apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An in vitro study

Guoxin Ren, Houyu Jv, Zhuowei Tian, Shalva R. Gvetadze, Jingzhou Hu, Mei Zhao, Ge Zhou, Chenping Zhang, Zhiyuan Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Hyperthermia is considered an efficient complement in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hyperthermia induces cell apoptosis in a temperature- and time-dependent manner. However, the molecular mechanism of hyperthermia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by ultrasound hyperthermia in HNSCC cell lines HN-30 and HN-13. Material and Methods: We examined the dynamic changes of early apoptosis and secondary necrosis in HN-30 and HN-13 cells treated by hyperthermia at 42°C for 10 min. We further examined mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro by ultrasound hyperthermia for different heating temperatures (38-44°C, 10 min) and heating times (42°C, 10-50 min). After heating by ultrasound at 42°C for 10 min, the apoptosis index achieved its highest level at 8 h after treatment, decreased rapidly and remained constant at a reduced level at 12 h. Results: The level of secondary necrosis increased with the level of early apoptosis but remained at a higher level until 14 h. The level of secondary necrosis correlated with the level of early apoptosis (HN-13: r=0.7523, P=0.0030; HN-30: r=0.6510, P=0.016). The fractions of cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) in the heating-temperature grads group and heating-time grads group decreased significantly over time. Therefore, HN-30 and HN-13 cells developed apoptosis after ultrasound hyperthermia treatment with decreases in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential level. Conclusions: Ultrasound hyperthermia induces apoptosis in HN-30 and HN-13 cells, possibly via the mitochondrial caspase pathway.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number21245
Pages (from-to)e289-e296
JournalMedicina Oral, Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2017

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  • Mitochondrial membrane potential
  • Ultrasound hyperthermia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • General Dentistry

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