Enhancing autophagy leads to increased cell death in radiation-treated cervical cancer cells
Creators: name: Yoo, Ji Geun
name: Lee, Yoon Kyung
name: Lee, Keun Ho
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Hematology
subject: Plant Biology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences

description: This study was carried out to determine the effect of autophagy modulation in radiation treatment of cervical cancer cells. HeLa and CaSki cells were irradiated with γ-rays (2 Gy/min) after treatment with an autophagy inducer (rapamycin) and inhibitor (3-MA). Expression of LC3 and cell death in two cell preparations were examined. In addition, expression of Caspase-3 and PARP were examined after radiation alone and with autophagy inhibitor treatment. A notable increment of LC3 expression was detected after radiation in both cell lines. Cell viability was observed to decrease in 3-MA-treated cells compared to radiation alone, and even further in rapamycin-treated cells. Apoptosis was confirmed to occur later than autophagy in radiation treatment, and inhibition of autophagy derived a decrease in apoptosis. In conclusion, radiation-induced autophagy may be regulated by modulators, and autophagy augmentation yields an increase in cervical cancer cell death under radiation.Impact statement<b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Autophagy is known to contribute both to tumour cell survival and death against radiation therapy. The effect of induction or inhibition of radiation-induced autophagy on cervical cancer cell death is not clear.<b>What the results of this study add?</b> Cell viability was observed to decrease in 3-MA-treated cells compared to radiation alone, and even further in rapamycin-treated cells. Apoptosis occurred later than autophagy in radiation treatment, and inhibition of autophagy derived a decrease in apoptosis.<b>What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> Our results suggest that radiation-induced autophagy may be regulated by modulators, and autophagy augmentation yields an increase in cervical cancer cell death under radiation. <b>What is already known on this subject?</b> Autophagy is known to contribute both to tumour cell survival and death against radiation therapy. The effect of induction or inhibition of radiation-induced autophagy on cervical cancer cell death is not clear. <b>What the results of this study add?</b> Cell viability was observed to decrease in 3-MA-treated cells compared to radiation alone, and even further in rapamycin-treated cells. Apoptosis occurred later than autophagy in radiation treatment, and inhibition of autophagy derived a decrease in apoptosis. <b>What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?</b> Our results suggest that radiation-induced autophagy may be regulated by modulators, and autophagy augmentation yields an increase in cervical cancer cell death under radiation.