Selective cytotoxicity and cell death induced by human amniotic membrane in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a worldwide high incidence and mortality. For this reason, it is essential to invest in new therapies for this type of cancer. Our team already proved that human amniotic membrane (hAM) is able to inhibit the metabolic activity of several human cancer cell lines, including HCC cell lines. Taking into account the previously performed work, this experimental study aimed to investigate the pathways by which hAM protein extracts (hAMPEs) act on HCC. Our results showed that hAMPE reduce the metabolic activity, protein content and DNA content in a dose- and time-dependent manner in all HCC cell lines. This therapy presents selective cytotoxicity, since it was not able to inhibit a non-tumorigenic human cell line. In addition, hAMPE induced cell morphology alterations in all HCC cell lines, but death type is cell line dependent, as proved by in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, hAMPE have a promising role in HCC therapy, since it is capable of inducing HCC cytotoxicity and cell death.

Oxidative Stress, DNA, Cell Cycle/Cell Cycle Associated Proteins and Multidrug Resistance Proteins: Targets of Human Amniotic Membrane in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…In order to discover some of the hAMPE molecular targets, and taking into account the previously published results [12,13], we proposed to evaluate in vitro the effect of this therapy on several cellular molecules and its mechanisms on three human HCC cell lines.…”

“…After hAMPE treatment, metabolic activity, protein content and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content decreased in all HCC cell lines [13]. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, authors also proved that HCC cell death profile depends on the cell line signature [13].…”

“…After hAMPE treatment, metabolic activity, protein content and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content decreased in all HCC cell lines [13]. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, authors also proved that HCC cell death profile depends on the cell line signature [13]. Interestingly, hAMPE were not able to inhibit the metabolic activity, protein content and DNA content of a nontumorigenic human cell line (HFF-1) [13].…”

“…Through in vitro and in vivo studies, authors also proved that HCC cell death profile depends on the cell line signature [13]. Interestingly, hAMPE were not able to inhibit the metabolic activity, protein content and DNA content of a nontumorigenic human cell line (HFF-1) [13].…”

“…So, taking into account the results already published by our team [12,13] and the urgency of new HCC therapies, this experimental study aimed to find the cellular targets of hAMPE in HCC through in vitro studies.…”