RAD001 (everolimus) induces antiproliferative effect and abnormal cell morphology in goat fetal fibroblasts under optical microscope

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an important controller of cell proliferation. RAD001 (everolimus) is a specific inhibitor of mTOR, can block mTOR signaling pathway. The purposes of this study are to explore the inhibitory effects of RAD001 on Cashmere goat fetal fibroblasts (GFb cells) proliferation. We examined both the effects of RAD001 on cell proliferation and cell shape of GFb cells. The GFb cells were treated with different concentrations of RAD001 (0.037 μM to 20.0μM) for 48h, and then the cell shape and proliferative density were observed with optical microscopy cell imaging. The results showed that GFb cells were sensitive to RAD001. RAD001 inhibits the cell proliferation. The morphological results indicated that mTOR is functional in GFb cells and acts as a key kinase to regulate cell proliferation. The synthesis of microfilament or organization of cytoskeleton perhaps was disrupted in GFb cells when mTOR was inhibited.