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Low-dose radiation-induced cell death in doxorubicin-sensitive leukemic K562 and resistant leukemic K562/Dox cancer cells associated with ferroptosis induction

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Abstract

Objective

It has been reported that low-dose total body irradiation techniques can be applied to blood cancers such as leukemia. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of low-dose radiation-induced cell death via ferroptosis phenomenon in doxorubicin-sensitive leukemic K562 and resistant leukemic K562/Dox cancer cells.

Method

The cells were irradiated with X-rays at total doses of 0, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1 Gy. The cell viability was determined at 48 h post-irradiation. Other biological endpoints related to ferroptosis included intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were determined at 5, 10, and 30 min post-irradiation. Also, intracellular iron, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined at 1, 4, and 24 h post-irradiation.

Results

The results showed that cell viability significantly decreased in irradiated cells when compared to non-irradiated cells. Intracellular ROS, intracellular iron, and lipid peroxidation increased in irradiated cells at all harvest time points compared to non-irradiated cells. GSH-Px decreased in irradiated cells at all harvest time points compared to non-irradiated cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that low-dose radiation can induce cell death in doxorubicin-sensitive leukemic K562 and resistant leukemic K562/Dox cancer cells through ferroptosis pathways.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by Chiang Mai University. This study was also supported by the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Sakornniya Wattanapongpitak, Suchart Kothan & Montree Tungjai

  2. Center of Radiation Research and Medical Imaging, Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Sakornniya Wattanapongpitak, Suchart Kothan & Montree Tungjai

  3. Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Singkome Tima

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  1. Sakornniya Wattanapongpitak
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Correspondence to Montree Tungjai.

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Sakornniya Wattanapongpitak, Suchart Kothan, Singkome Tima, and Montree Tungjai all declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Wattanapongpitak, S., Kothan, S., Tima, S. et al. Low-dose radiation-induced cell death in doxorubicin-sensitive leukemic K562 and resistant leukemic K562/Dox cancer cells associated with ferroptosis induction. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 15, 249–255 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-023-00178-5

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