Platelet-activating factor induces up-regulation of antiapoptotic factors in a melanoma cell line through nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

In this study, we investigated the influence of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the induction of apoptosis-regulating factors in B16F10 melanoma cells. PAF increased the expression of mRNA and the protein synthesis of antiapoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but did not increase the expression of the proapoptotic factor, Bax. A selective nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor, parthenolide, inhibited the effects of PAF. Furthermore, PAF inhibited etoposide-induced increases in caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 activities, as well as cell death. p50/p65 heterodimer increased the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and decreased etoposide-induced caspase activities and cell death. In an in vivo model in which Matrigel was injected s.c., PAF augmented the growth of B16F10 cells and attenuated etoposide-induced inhibition of B16F10 cells growth. These data indicate that PAF induces up-regulation of antiapoptotic factors in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner in a melanoma cell line, therefore suggesting that PAF may diminish the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents.