The effects of fluoride on cell migration, cell proliferation, and cell metabolism in GH4C1 pituitary tumour cells

The consumption of drinking water rich in fluoride has toxic effects on the central nervous system. In cell biology research, fluoride is currently used as a phosphatase inhibitor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride on different physiological processes in GH(4)C(1) pituitary tumour cells. We used a range of different fluoride concentrations, from levels below normal human serum concentrations (0.23 and 1.2 mu mol/L) to those observed in chronically exposed persons (10.7 mu mol/L) and above (107 and 1072 mu mol/L). Treatment of 10.7 mu mol/L. fluoride resulted in a discrete induction of DNA synthesis, without a change in cell number. Cell migration, a behaviour stimulated by growth factors, was increased in cells treated with 2.4 mu mol/L. At this fluoride concentration, changes in phosphorylation status of both cytoskeletal and cytosolic protein fractions, as well as in actin cytoskeletal arrangements were observed. The GH(4)C(1) fluoride treated cells had significantly less cellular protein than control cells, suggesting an effect of fluoride on hormone secretion and protein synthesis in this endocrine cell. The bioreduction of MTT was significantly increased with a wide range of fluoride concentrations. With the highest fluoride concentration, 1072 mu mol/L, all of the analysed parameters were significantly reduced, suggesting that this dose is highly toxic in GH(4)C(1) cells. Our results show that biologically relevant concentrations of fluoride are capable of increasing cell migration in turnout cells, suggesting that exposure to fluoride could stimulate turnout invasion. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.