Apoptosis and necrosis induced by sulfur mustard in Hela cells

AIM: To study the apoptotic effect of sulfur mustard (SM) on Hela cells. ME THODS: Exponentially growing Hela cells were treated with SM at various con centrations for 3 h, then apoptosis was examined by electron-microscope, DN A gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: SM 1 mu mol.L-1 arreste d cell growth. After treatment with SM 10-100 mu mol.L-1, cells were mainly blocked at G(1)-phase with apoptosis. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA f rom cells treated with SM revealed "DNA Ladder." About 33% of the Hela cell s showed apoptosis 12 h after 3-h treatment with SM 100 mu mol.L-1 as deter mined by flow cytometry and the S-phase cells were more susceptible. Howeve r, SM 1000 mu mol.L-1 caused marked necrosis in Hela cells. CONCLUSION: SM caused 2 distinct forms of cell death, apoptosis or necrosis, in Hela cells in a concentration-dependent manner.