The The Effect of the Persian Gulf Jellyfish (Cassiopea andromeda) Venom on the Expression of P15, P21, P53, DNMT1, and Bcl-2 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Jurkat Cells

One of the acute hematologic malignancies is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is formed in B or T lymphocyte stem cells. Regarding the increasing tendency to herbal and marine studies, and on the other hand, the characteristics of Cassiopea andromeda Venom remain unclear, this study was performed to determine its effects on Jurkat cells as a model for T-ALL.

In this experimental study, the cells were treated with a variety of concentrations of Cassiopea andromeda venom at different periods and times. Growth inhibition and toxic effects of Cassiopea andromeda Venom were evaluated by methyl thiazole tetrazolium salt reduction (MTT test). The flow cytometry analysis was carried out using 7-aminoactinomycin D (7AAD) and Annexin V stains for evaluating this venom’s effect on apoptotic pathways. Besides, Real-Time PCR was performed to evaluate the relative gene expression.

Cassiopea andromeda venom inhibited the growth of Jurkat cells in a concentration- and time manner. Jurkat cell growth was inhibited by 48.9%, after 72 hours of treatment with 250µg/mL Cassiopea andromeda venom. This venom increased the apoptotic process through the upregulation of p15INK4b and P53 proteins and downregulation of Bcl-2, p21 WAF1/CIP1, and DNMT1 in the Jurkat cell line.

Considering the growth inhibitory property of Cassiopea andromeda Venom, we recommend it as a part of combinational medication for treating ALL in animal trials and for other leukemias in vitro studies.