Identification of genes responsive to low intensity pulsed ultrasound in a human leukemia cell line Molt-4

Abstract We examined the gene expression of human leukemia Molt-4 cells treated with non-thermal low intensity pulsed ultrasound. Six hours after 0.3 W/cm2 pulsed ultrasound treatment, apoptosis (24±3.3%, mean±SD) with minimal cell lysis was observed. Of approximately 16,600 genes analyzed, BCL2-associated athanogene 3 ( BAG3 ), DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog, subfamily B, member 1 ( DNAJB1 ), heat shock 70 kDa protein 1B ( HSPA1B ), and heat shock 70 kDa protein 6 ( HSPA6 ) showed increased levels of expression while isopentenyl-diphosphate delta isomerase ( IDI1 ) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A synthase 1 ( HMGCS1 ) showed decreased levels in the cells 3 h after the ultrasound treatment. The expression levels of these six genes were confirmed by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DNA microarray analysis of genes that are differentially expressed in response to apoptosis induced by non-thermal low intensity pulsed ultrasound in human leukemia cells. The present results will provide a basis for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of effects of not only low intensity pulsed ultrasound but also that of mechanical shear stress in the cells.