OBJECTIVETo study whether chlorambucil has apoptotic effect on the B cell lymphoma A20 cells and its exact mechanisms in apoptotic signaling pathway.

METHODSThe experimental cells were treated with 20 μmol/L chlorambucil, the control cells were treated with PBS. Annexin V-FITC Cell Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to examine cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of active caspase-3, Survivin, NF-B and pAKT. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of Survivin.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the proportion of FITC/PI apoptotic cells and the expression of active caspase-3 (t=7.384, P=0.000) in the chlorambucil treatment group was significantly elevated. However, the expression of Survivin mRNA (t=4.384, P=0.000), protein expressions of survivin (t=12.360, P=0.000), NF-B (t=5.462, P=0.000) and pAKT (t=7.183, P=0.000) in the chlorambucil-treated group all significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe chlorambucil can induce the apoptosis of lymphoma cells, its mechanism may related with inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and expression of NF-B and survivin.