The effects of SELENBP1 knockdown on the apoptosis of B[a]P-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells.

<p>A, a representative result of flow cytometry analysis of cell apoptosis cultured in serum free medium after exposed to B[a]P for 18 weeks. Cells were grown in serum free DMEM medium for 24 h, and then assessed for apoptosis by flow cytometry as described in “<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0071865#s2" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>”. B, (<i>right</i>) Hoechst 33258 staining of cell apoptosis cultured in serum free medium after exposed to B[a]P for 18 weeks. Cells were grown in serum free DMEM medium for 24 h, and then assessed for apoptosis using the cell-permeable DNA dye Hoechst 33258. Apoptotic nuclei showing intense fluorescence corresponding to chromatin condensation; (<i>left</i>) a histogram showed the cell apoptotic rates. Three experiments were done; columns, mean; bars, S.D.(*, <i>P</i><0.05 <i>vs.</i> untransfected or empty vector -transfected 16HBE cells exposed to B[a]P). Apoptosis of the cells exposed to vehicle (DMSO) for 18 weeks is also shown and used as controls. 16HBE, untransfected cells; 16HBE/pLKO.1, empty vector pLKO.1-transfected cells; 16HBE/pLKO.1-SELENBP1-shRNA, pLKO.1-SELENBP1-shRNA-tansfected cells.