Figure 3.

Cela improves TRAIL-induced cell death by attenuating autophagy flux. A549 cells were pretreated with CQ prior to exposure to cela (4 µM) for 12 h and then exposed to TRAIL for an additional 2 h. (A) The morphology of the cells was evaluated by interference light microscopy (magnification, ×100) (B) Cellular viability was assessed with crystal violet staining. (C) Bar diagram demonstrating the average density of crystal violet staining. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. TRAIL untreated group and only TRAIL treatment group. Cela, celastrol; TRAIL, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand; CQ, chloroquine.