Figure 2

VLX40 induces apoptosis in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. In panel (A) cell growth kinetics were determined every hour during culture of MCF-7 tumor cells in 24-well plates. Cell confluence was determined by phase contrast time-lapse microscopy using an automated IncuCyte system. Representative phase contrast photomicrographs of control and VLX40 (10 μM) exposed cultures after 72 h are shown in panel (B). Using Array Scan II the effects of VLX40 on membrane permeability (C), DNA fragmentation (D) and caspase-3/7 activity (E) were evaluated and are shown over time (6-24 h). The results are expressed as percentage of the untreated control and presented as mean values + SEM from three independent experiments. Flow cytometry analysis of annexin V (x-axis) and propidium iodide (Y-axis) stained cells after 48 hrs exposure to VLX 40 in RPMI 8226 S, 8226/Dox40, U-937 and HL-60 cells (F). In (G) the effect of VLX40 with and without caspase inhibitors DEVD-FMK and LEHD-FMK on annexin V staining is shown in U-937 cells.