Effects of spider Macrothele raven venom on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity in HeLa cells.

AIM: To examine the effect of venom from the spider Macrothele raven on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity in human cervical carcinoma, HeLa cells.

METHODS

Morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis appeared using acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Marked morphological changes in HeLa cells after treatment with spider venom were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by [methyl-3H] thymidine assay ([3H]TdR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, respectively. DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution were monitored using flow cytometry. In addition, Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of caspase-3 expression. In vivo examination of the inhibition of the size of tumors in nude mice treated with spider venom was measured.

RESULTS

Marked morphological changes were observed using AO/EB staining, SEM and TEM assay. Spider venom at concentrations of 10-40 mg/L caused dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation. The ratio of apoptosis and necrosis increased. The activity of caspase-3 was upregulated after spider venom treatment. In vivo study of tumor size revealed that tumors significantly decreased in size from controls to tumors treated for 3 weeks with spider venom (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of HeLa cells by the venom of the spider Macrothele raveni was carried out in three ways: induction of apoptosis, necrosis of toxicity damage and direct lysis. Spider venom is a novel anti-tumor material both in vitro and in vivo.