The effect of low doses of doxorubicin on the rat glioma C6 cells in the context of the proteins involved in intercellular interactions

Abstract The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of doxorubicin on F–actin rearrangement and β–catenin and cofilin–1 in a rat glioma C6 cell line in combination with changes in their morphology and ultrastructure. The experimental material constituted rat glioma C6 cell line. The cells were incubated with sublethal doses of doxorubicin in the concentration of 50, 100 and 200 nM. The blue trypan dye method was used to determine the number of dead cells. Morphological and ultrastructural changes in the cells were evaluated using light and transmission electron microscope, respectively. In order to determine the rearrangements and level of expression of F–actin, β–catenin and cofilin–1 they were analyzed using a fluorecence microscope. In turn, cell death and cell cycle were evaluated by Guava 6HT–2 L Cytometer. The performed experiments showed a dose–dependent decrease in the survival of C6 cells after treatment with doxorubicin. The analysis of cell death showed a dose–dependent increase in the population of apoptotic and necrotic cells. These results were confirmed by microscopy observation. The changes in morphology, ultrastructure, and rearrangements of F–actin, β–catenin and cofilin–1 were also observed. The results obtained in the study showed that sublethal concentrations of doxorubicin influenced the structure of F–actin and other proteins involved in cell–cell interactions. Moreover, mitotic catastrophe may preceding apoptosis, what suggest the cytotoxic effect of low dose of doxorubicin. Furthermore, our results confirmed the multi–dimensional mechanism of DOX action in tumor cells.