Heat shock induced apoptosis in normal and tumor human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs)

Human endothelial cell injury may play an important role tumor damage hyperthermia in vivo. In this study, human umbilical vein cells were heat shocked in vitro at different temperatures (41-55degC). Cells were observed 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours after heat shock. By incrementally increasing the heat load from 41-55degC, we observed a gradually increase in apoptosis with a significant change from apoptotic to necrotic death at temperature beyond 45degC. Further, an in vitro human breast tumor endothelial cell model was established to compare the heat shock response between normal and tumor endothelial cells.