Ytterbium ion promotes apoptosis of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells

Bone is one of the main target organs for the lanthanides (Ln). Biodistribution studies of Tm-based compounds in vivo showed that bone had significant uptake. But the effect of Tm3+ on primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) has not been reported. So we investigated the effect and underlying mechanisms of Tm3+ on BMSCs. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were studied. The results indicated that Tm3+ increased the viability of BMSCs at concentrations of 1 × 10−7, 1 × 10−6, 1 × 10−5, and 1 × 10−4 mol/L in a dose-dependent manner, turned to decrease the viability of BMSCs at the highest concentration of 1 × 10−3 mol/L for 24, 48, and 72 h. Tm3+ at 1 × 10−3 mol/L promoted apoptosis of BMSCs, increased the ROS and LDH levels, and decreased MMP in BMSCs. Taken together, we demonstrated that Tm3+ at 1 × 10−3 mol/L might induce cellular apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. These results may be helpful for more rational application of Tm-based compounds in the future.