Figure 3

Salinomycin induces apoptosis in human CC cells which is independent of activated caspases. 3 x 10⁴ Mz-ChA-1 and EGI-1 cells were plated in chamber slides, cultured until confluence and treated as described before. (A) TUNEL assay of Mz-ChA-1 cells confirmed induction of apoptosis after exposure to increasing concentrations of Salinomycin whereas Gemcitabine failed to drive the cells into apotosis. (B) Assessment of TUNEL-positive EGI-1 cells revealed the drastic reduced number of apoptotic cells for this cell line. (C) Analysis of expression of Caspase-3 in Gemcitabine and Salinomycin treated Mz-ChA-1 cells. Although a distinct number of Mz-ChA-1 cells show apoptosis after Salinomycin treatment, Caspase-3 was barely traceable in treated cells. To proof quality of reagents and methods we used Jurkat cells that were exposed to TRAIL-expressing cells which induce reliable high percentages of apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Consequently a pronounced number of Jurkat cells were Caspase-3 positive. Results are shown as representative pictures of one out of 3 independent experiments.