Effects of the confluence rate on the FTIR spectrum of PC-3 prostate cancer cells in culture

Abstract

Recently, the possibility of using IR spectroscopy to fingerprint the mode of action of potent antitumor drugs on cancer cells at sub-lethal concentrations has been demonstrated by comparing spectra recorded from untreated or drug-treated cells. The present study investigates the potential interference of the cell culture confluence rate on cell FTIR signature. Significant spectral differences were observed on cells harvested at different confluence rates. Yet, these differences were weak when compared to those induced by sub-lethal ouabain concentrations, used as a model of cardenolide drug. Furthermore, principal component analysis reveals that the impact of the confluence rate, above 50% coverage, on the FTIR spectra is essentially unique and orthogonal to the one induced by the drug model.