Curcumin inhibits NFκB mediated radioprotection and modulate apoptosis related genes in human neuroblastoma cells

Curcumin has been shown to exhibit growth inhibitory effects and induce apoptosis in a broad range of tumors. Accordingly, we investigated the radiosensitizing effects of curcumin in human neuroblastoma cells. SK-N-MC cells exposed to either 2 Gy alone, or pretreated with curcumin (100 nM) or NF kappa B inhibitor peptide SN50 (50 nM) and exposed to 2 Gy were harvested after 48 h. Radioresistance was measured using clonogenic and MTT assay, NF kappa B DNA-binding activity using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC staining. Pathway (apoptosis) specific microarrays were used to measure gene expression and validated using QPCR. Radiation markedly enhanced the NF kappa B DNA-binding activity. Pre-treating the cells either with curcumin or SN50 significantly suppressed the radiation induced NF kappa B. Also, curcumin or SN50 pretreatment enhanced the radiation induced inhibition of cell survival. Microarray analysis revealed that curcumin enhanced the radiation induced activation of caspases, other pro-apoptotic and death effector molecules and, inhibit anti-apoptotic/survival molecules. In addition, curcumin markedly suppressed the radiation induced TNF super family genes. These results suggest that curcumin is a potent radiosensitizer and may act by overcoming the effects of radiation-induced NF kappa B mediated pro-survival gene expression in neuroblastoma.