Chondroitin sulfate–functionalized selenium nanoparticle–induced S‐phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HeLa Cells

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the anti‐cervical cancer activity of chondroitin sulfate–functionalized selenium nanoparticles (SeCS) and to elucidate their action mechanism. Cytotoxic effect of SeCS on HeLa cells was assessed by MTT assay. Further molecular mechanism of SeCS was analyzed by flow cytometric assay and western blotting. The results showed that treatment with SeCS resulted in a dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibition in the proliferation of HeLa cells. The data obtained from flow cytometry demonstrated that SeCS inhibited HeLa cell growth via the induction of S‐phase arrest and cell apoptosis. Further mechanism analysis found that SeCS down‐regulated expression levels of cyclin A and CDK2 and up‐regulated p21 expression, which contributed to S arrest. Moreover, SeCS increased the level of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl‐2, resulting in the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria and activating caspase‐3/8/9 for caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Meanwhile, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were elevated after SeCS treatment, suggesting that ROS might be upstream of SeCS‐induced S‐phase arrest and cell apoptosis. These data show that SeCS has anti‐tumor effects and possesses the potential to become a new therapeutic agent or adjuvant therapy for cancer patients.Practical ApplicationIn our previous study, we used chondroitin sulfate to stabilize nano‐selenium to obtain SeCS to improve the bioactivity and stability of nano‐selenium. We found that it possessed an inhibitory effect on HeLa cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study elucidated the mechanism of SeCS damage to HeLa cells. SeCS has the potential to become a new therapeutic agent or adjuvant therapy for cancer patients.