INVESTIGATION OF BAX AND BCL2 GENE EXPRESSION IN ASTROCYTES ISOLATED FROM HUMAN BRAIN TISSUE UNDER THE EFFECTS OF LEUKEMIA EXOSOMES

Unfortunately, today cancers such as leukemia metastasize to the central nervous
system (CNS). Cancer cells proliferate and resist apoptosis features. On the other hand, exosomes
promote cancer through cell-to-cell communication. This study investigated the effect of leukemia
exosomes on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in astrocytes.
Materials & Methods: After the primary culture of brain tissue cells, Immunocytochemical evaluation
of cells was performed by specific antibodies Nestin, SOX2, and GFAP. Then, astrocytes were purified
from other cells by trypsinage. Exosomes were extracted from supernatant of Nalm6 cell line by
ultracentrifugation and their effects on proliferation and expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes were assessed
by DAPI and Real-time PCR in astrocytes, respectively.
Results: Results indicated a purity of over 90% of astrocytes in cell culture medium. DAPI test after 48
hours showed a significant increase in astrocytes treated with exosome (50μg/ml) compared to the
control group (p < 001). Also, the expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes in exosome-treated astrocytes
showed a significant decrease and increase compared to the control group (p <0.01 and p <0.05),
respectively.
Conclusion: Leukemia exosomes disrupt the balance of astrocyte proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in
them by altering the expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes. Therefore, further studies are recommended to
identify exact molecular pathways of cancer.