Cladonia furcata polysaccharide induced apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells.
AIM
To study whether Cladonia furcata polysaccharide (CFP-1) might induce apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells.


METHODS
Inhibition of proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with fluorescence microscope and electron microscope. DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. The amount of apoptosis cells was measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
CFP-1 (50 - 800 mg/L) inhibited K562 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. After incubation of K562 cells with CFP-1 300 mg/L for 5 d, morphological changes of typical apoptosis were observed and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA revealed "ladder" pattern.


CONCLUSION
CFP-1 induced apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells.