Serum deprivation induces apoptotic cell death in the thesc cell line

Abstract

Uterine myomas are comprised of smooth muscle cells from blood vessel walls of the uterus and fi broblasts, and constitute the basic components of fi broids. Th e aim of our study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic eff ects of serum deprivation on fi broblasts originating from the Th ESC myoma cell line. Cell viability, morphological changes and the percentage of apoptotic cells were determined in the presence and absence of serum. Th e experimental group was cultured in medium lacking serum for 24- and 48-hour periods, and the control group was cultured in complete medium. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. Changes in cell morphology were investigated using native microscopy. Th e percentage of apoptotic cells was determined using ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining. Th ere was a time-dependent and statistically signifi cant decrease in cell viability in the experimental group when compared to the control group. Cells in the experimental group displayed morphological changes that are characteristic of apoptosis. Th ese changes were not detected in the control group. In the experimental group, there was a statistically signifi cant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, while this percentage was not statistically signifi cant in the control group. Th e obtained results suggest that the timeduration of serum deprivation directly correlates to the induction of apoptosis in the Th ESC cell line.