Abstract:

To investigate expression of Cathepsin D in human lymphoma cell lines Raji and to explore its correlation with Raji cell proliferation and chemosensitivity to Adriamycin(ADM). MethodsExperimental logarithmic phase Raji cells were divided into 5 groups: the blank control group, the Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group, the Pepstatin A treated group, the ADM treated group, and the Pepstatin A+ADM treated group. Western blot was performed to determine expression of Cathepsin D in Raji cells before and after being treated by ADM. The ADMsensitivity of Raji cells treated by Pepstatin A was analyzed by MTT assay. ResultsCathepsin D was expressed in Raji cells. Compared with the blank control group, Cathepsin D expression was reduced both in the Pepstatin A treated group and in the Pepstatin A+ADM treated group (P<0.05), while it was increased in the ADM treated group (P<0.05). MTT showed that Raji cell proliferation was not affected by Pepstatin A, but Raji cell proliferation was inhibited and the proliferative rate in the ADM treated group was significantly lower in the ADM treated group than in the Pepstatin A+ADM treated group. ConclusionIn the ADM treated group, Cathepsin D expression of Raji cells was increased and the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was significantly higher than that in the Pepstatin A+ADM treated group. Cathepsin D may be involved in the ADMmediated apoptosis of Raji cells and enhances its chemosensitivity to ADM.

Key words: Cathepsin D; Lymphoma; Raji Cell; Adriamycin; Chemosensitivity