In this study, we examined the mechanisms associated with EZH2 mediation of apoptosis and chemoresistance to arsenic trioxide (ATO) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The induction of spontaneous apoptosis observed in multiple EZH2-silenced leukemic cell lines was assessed by flow cytometry, and levels of Wnt/β-catenin-related expression were determined by western blot analysis. In comparison with AML control cells, EZH2-knockdown cells exhibited increased apoptosis and significant downregulation of β-catenin expression, as well as decreases in GSK-3β phosphorylation and β-catenin activation (p < 0.05 for all measurements). Additionally, EZH2 knockdown sensitized AML cells to induced cell death following administration of chemotherapeutic ATO. Our results suggested that EZH2 in leukemic cell lines might inhibit ATO-induced apoptosis and that EZH2 may be a potential therapeutic target in AML patients undergoing ATO treatment. Our findings provide new insights into the role of ATO and EZH2 in regulating AML progression.
Keywords: ATO; Acute myeloid leukemia; EZH2; Wnt/β-catenin.