Effects of dihydroartemisinin on HSP70 expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and to examine the molecular mechanism. The viability of PC-3 cells following treatment with 25, 50, 100 and 200 mu mol/L DHA for 48 hr was detected by flow cytometry and MTT assay. The expression of HSP70 mRNA was detected by RT-qPCR. The expression levels and locations of HSP70, caspase-3 and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were detected with immunofluorescence assay. With 100 mu mol/L HSP70 inhibitor quercetin as positive control and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as solvent control, the protein expressions of HSP70, apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and AIF were detected by Western blot. DHA promoted PC-3 cell apoptosis dose-dependently. With increasing DHA dose, the expression of HSP70 mRNA significantly decreased (p < 0.05). DHA did not change the location of HSP70 or AIF. Compared with control and DMSO groups, the expression of HSP70 protein significantly decreased, and those of Apaf-1, caspase-3 and AIF significantly increased following treatment with DHA and quercetin for 48 hr. In conclusion, DHA inhibits the expression of HSP70 and induces the apoptosis of PC-3 cells. The results provide valuable experimental evidence for prostate cancer therapies using DHA.