Inorganic arsenic modulates cell apoptosis by regulating Argonaute 2 expression via the p53 pathway

This study explores the role of Argonaute 2 (AGO2) in the induction of apoptosis by arsenic in 16HBE cells and investigates the association between AGO2 expression and arsenic exposure in a human population. By silencing AGO2 with siRNA, we examined its impact on cell viability and apoptosis using CCK-8, HO-PI, and JC-1 assays, complemented by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses for gene and protein expressions. Our findings revealed a significant correlation between AGO2 expression and levels of exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs), which was more pronounced than with other arsenic forms such as monomethylarsonic (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acids (DMA). The results showed that silencing AGO2 not only reduced cell viability but also intensified apoptosis, highlighting its role in activating the p53 pathway. This was further supported by increased phosphorylation of p53 at Ser392 and Thr55, reinforcing AGO2's involvement in apoptotic processes. The study underscores the potential of AGO2 as a therapeutic target in arsenic-related pathologies and highlights the critical need for managing occupational exposure to arsenic.