Salicylic acid sensitizes cervical cancer cells to radiotherapy by activating AMPK/TSC2/mTOR pathway

Shun Lu; Wenjing Ye; Jie Zhou; Guangming Yi; Jianming Huang; Siyao Deng; Minglun Li; Yimin Li; Yanqiong Song; Jiayu Zhang; Lichun Wei; Guiquan Zhu; Jinyi Lang

Radiation Medicine and Protection (Mar 2022)

Salicylic acid sensitizes cervical cancer cells to radiotherapy by activating AMPK/TSC2/mTOR pathway

Shun Lu,
Wenjing Ye,
Jie Zhou,
Guangming Yi,
Jianming Huang,
Siyao Deng,
Minglun Li,
Yimin Li,
Yanqiong Song,
Jiayu Zhang,
Lichun Wei,
Guiquan Zhu,
Jinyi Lang

Affiliations

Shun Lu: Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China; Department of Radiological Protection, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610042, China
Wenjing Ye: School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Jie Zhou: Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Guangming Yi: The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang, Sichuan 621054, China
Jianming Huang: Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Siyao Deng: School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Minglun Li: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
Yimin Li: School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Yanqiong Song: Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Jiayu Zhang: School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
Lichun Wei: Department of Radiation Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 610599, China
Guiquan Zhu: State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Corresponding author.
Jinyi Lang: Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China; Department of Radiological Protection, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610042, China; Corresponding author. Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 9 – 15

Abstract

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Objective: To investigate the radio-sensitizing effect of salicylic acid (SA) on human cervical cancer cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods: Cervical cancer cells were treated with SA and ionizing radiation. The expression of γ-H2AX was evaluated by immunofluorescence (IF) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed to detect the protein level of AMPK/TSC2/mTOR pathway. Results: SA inhibited basal proliferation of cervical cancer cells in a dose and time dependent manner. In addition, SA increased radiation-induced DNA damage, promoted apoptosis, triggered a redistribution of cell cycle from G2-M phase to G1-S phase of cervical cancer cells, and hence increased cell sensitivity to radiation. Moreover, SA treatment elevated the expression levels of p-AMPKα(t = 3.996, P < 0.05) and p-TSC2(t = 5.308, P < 0.05), whereas the level of p-mTOR (t = 10.160, P < 0.05) was significantly decreased. Conclusion: SA enhances the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells by targeting AMPK/TSC2/mTOR signaling pathway, and might serve as a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Published in Radiation Medicine and Protection

ISSN: 2666-5557 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiation-medicine-and-protection

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