Role of pH in heat-induced Apoptosis

초록

The mechanisms of apoptotic cell death caused by various insults, including irradiation and drugs, have been intensively in recent years, but relatively little is known about heat-induced apoptosis. Although it is a well-known fact that acidic environment enhances the cytocidal effect of hyperthermia, the effect of acidic environment on heat-induced apoptosis has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of environmental acidity on the heat-induced apoptosis as well as that on the heat-induced changes in expression of molecular signals, including p53, known to be involved in apoptosis.