Abstract: AIM: To observe the effect of TNF-αon the apoptosis of A549 cells.METHODS: A549 cells were cultured and incubated with TNF-α(10,100 U·ml^-1).Western blot was used to observe the change of P53 protein,and the cell apoptosis was observed by the Annexin V/PI staining.RESULTS: The expression of P53 protein and the numberof apoptotic cells increased significantly aftertreatment with TNF-αas compared with the control grouP(P<0.01).The apoptosis rate of A549 cells was 1.22±0.62 and 1.65±0.38 in the TNF-αgrouPwith different dose respectively (P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: TNF-αcan induce the apoptosis of A549 cells and maybe provide the new idea forthe therapy of lung cancer.

Key words: TNF-α, A549 cells, apoptosis, lung cancer, immunotherapy