Figure 2.

MEDS433 induces apoptosis in several AML cell lines (II). (A) MEDS433 treatment increases the activity of caspases 3/7, as evaluated through a specific functional assay (n = 3). (B) MEDS433 increases the levels of cleaved caspase 3 (n = 3). (C) Morphologic evaluation (Wright–Giemsa staining) of untreated (left panel) and treated cells (middle and right panels, n = 3). Untreated cells form a conspicuous, monomorphic population, with strongly basophilic appearance. After treatment with MEDS433, the population is significantly reduced; cells are extremely heterogeneous, with both signs of apoptosis (cytoplasmic vacuolation, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis) and differentiation (decreased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and enlightening of the cytoplasm). If not otherwise specified, the magnification is 20×. Analyses were performed after 3 days of treatment. DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide only. Statistical significance: t-test, * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01.