Evaluation of BAX and BCL-2 Gene Expression and Apoptosis Induction in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line CCRFCEM after High- Dose Prednisolone Treatment

Objective: Glucocorticoids are one of the most important drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemiafor children. It is very important to response to glucocorticoid in the prognosis of these patients. Therefore, resistanceto treatment is a major problem in lymphoid leukemia cases. In, this study, CCRF-CEM cell line was selected as achemotherapy-resistant model. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high dose prednisolone on inductionof apoptosis and changes in BAX and BCL-2 gene expression at different times. Methods: CCRF-CEM cell lines weregrown in standard conditions. Based on previous studies, a dose of 700 μM as subtoxic dose was selected. Changes ingene expression of BAX and BCL-2 were evaluated by using real time PCR techniques. Also stained with annexin Vand the induction of apoptosis was assessed by FACS machine. Results: In this study it was found that prednisolone inhigh doses at different times significantly increased the gene expression of BAX and on the other hand the amount ofBCL-2 expression was reduced. Cells that treated for 48 hours had more significant changes in gene expression. Basedon flowcytometry data, prednisolone can induce apoptosis in a time dependent manner on this cancerous resistant cellline. Conclusions: Apoptosis induced by high-dose prednisolone in the CCRF-CEM cells, which is almost resistant,and possibly mediated by reducing the expression of BCL-2 and BAX up-regulation.