Autophagy Protects MC3T3-E1 Cells upon Aluminum-Induced Apoptosis

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) exposure has adverse effects on osteoblasts, and the effect might be through autophagy-associated apoptosis. In this study, we showed that aluminum trichloride (AlCl₃) could induce autophagy in MC3T3-E1 cells, as demonstrated by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and the expressions of the ATG3, ATG5, and ATG9 genes. We found AlCl₃ inhibited MC3T3-E1 cell survival rate and caused apoptosis, as evidenced by CCK-8 assay, Annexin V/PI double staining, and increased expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3 genes. In addition, increased autophagy induced by rapamycin further attenuated the MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis rate after AlCl₃ exposure. These results support the hypothesis that autophagy plays a protective role in impeding apoptosis caused by AlCl₃. Activating autophagy may be a strategy for treatment of Al-induced bone disease.

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