Effect of Interferon-Beta (IFN-β) on tumor suppressor and apoptotic markers in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Abstract

IFN-β (Rebif) is a drug with valuable cancer therapeutic potential as it mediates anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-proliferation of IFN-β through assessing gene expression of p53 and caspase-3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) line (HepG2). The 50% inhibition viability concentration (IC50) of IFN-β was calculated by cytotoxicity assay, and it was tested on normal cell line (Vero). After treating HepG2 cells with IFN-β, p53 and caspase-3 expression was analyzed, at time intervals of 2, 4, 6, and 24 hrs, by real-time PCR, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. IC50 of IFN-β was 420 µg/ml, which wasn't cytotoxic on normal cells. P53 expression was gradually up-regulated by time, and then, it was decreased after 24 hrs incubation. However, no expression of caspase-3 was detected compared to cell control. Histopathologically, cells degeneration was remarkable after 24 hrs while no change was noticed in control. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decline of p53 and caspase-3 expression in treated cells with IFN-β, after 24 hrs, to 30% compared to cell control (50% and 60%, respectively). IFN-β has the potential to be utilized as a suppressor of HCC proliferation and inducer of malignant cells apoptosis.