Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs) proliferate abnormally and resist apoptosis. Bufalin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cancer cells. In this study, we explored the effects of bufalin on interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta)-induced proliferation and apoptosis of RAFLSs. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay and annexin V/propidium iodide staining, respectively. Bufalin dose-dependently inhibited IL-1 beta-induced RAFLS proliferation. Mechanistically, bufalin decreased the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B), both of which are involved in IL-1 beta-mediated RAFLS proliferation. Moreover, bufalin induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage of RAFLSs, which was associated with Bcl-2 downregulation, Bax upregulation, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and enhanced cleavages of caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Collectively, our results reveal that bufalin suppresses IL-1 beta-induced proliferation of RAFLSs through MAPK and NF-kappa B signaling pathways and induces RAFLS apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway.
[1]Shanghai Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Shuguang Hosp, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Shanghai 201203, Peoples R China.
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