The cells were double-stained with annexin V-FTC and PI. The early and the late apoptotic cells were distributed in the Q1_LR and Q1_UR regions, respectively. The necrotic cells were located in the Q1_UL region. Fig. 5A shows that gC1qR vector treatment resulted in an increase in the number of cells in the Q1_LR and Q1_UR regions compared with empty vector. However, the Q1_LR selleck and Q1_UR regions in the metformin + gC1qR vector-treated HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells were apparently diminished compared with the gC1qR vector group. Next, mitochondrial

function was assessed via ROS generation, changes in Δψm and the ATP content. After treatment with empty vector, gC1qR vector and metformin + gC1qR vector for 84 hr, ROS generation was quantified using H2DCFDA fluorescence and fluorescence microscopy. The data showed that ROS levels in the gC1qR vector group were increased compared

with the empty vector group; however, in the metformin + gC1qR vector group, the ROS level was decreased compared with the gC1qR vector group (Fig. 5B). As shown in Fig. 5C, the value of Δψm in the gC1qR vector treatment group decreased by approximately 79% compared with the empty vector group. Moreover, there were significant changes in Δψm in the HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells in the metformin + gC1qR vector and gC1qR vector groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the ATP content of the gC1qR vector group was decreased by approximately 53% compared with the empty PI3K inhibitor vector group. In the metformin + gC1qR vector group, the ATP content was enhanced compared with gC1qR vector-treated HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells (Fig. 5D). Apoptosis

is an autonomic, ordered programmed cell death Oxymatrine to maintain homeostasis that is controlled by several genes.[19] Our goals in these experiments were to demonstrate that gC1qR strongly induced ROS production in mitochondria and that this oxidative stress induced apoptosis in human EVCT-derived transformed cells. We have shown previously that gC1qR is capable of inducing apoptosis in human cervical squamous carcinoma cells.[20] These findings constitute the first evidence that mitochondria are a target during gC1qR-induced apoptosis in human EVCT-derived transformed cells. It is known from cell and animal studies that low doses of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have a stimulatory effect on the immune system, whereas high doses exhibit a suppressive effect.[21] Exposure to PCBs during early pregnancy may disturb gestation due to the activation of the immune system. In the light of our findings in the previous study, it is noteworthy that PCB-associated spontaneous miscarriage has been shown to be related to the ability of PCBs to induce upregulated expression of gC1qR in human EVCT.[7] gC1qR, which has a high affinity for complement C1q, is a conserved eukaryotic multifunctional protein that is expressed in a wide range of tissues and cell types.