Effects of interferon-inducible protein 16 on proliferation and migration of human brain vascular adventitial fibroblasts

AIM：To investigate the effects of interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) on the proliferation and migration of human brain vascular adventitial fibroblasts (HBVAFs). METHODS：The siRNA of IFI16 gene was transfected into HBVAFs. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the cells were exposed to 2×106 U/L interferon alpha (IFN-α) for 24 h. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell migration was determined by scratch assay and transwell method. The mRNA and protein levels of IFI16, p53 and p21 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS：After transfection with IFI16 siRNA, the expression of IFI16, p53 and p21 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased in HBVAFs, and the cell cycle at G1/S transition was promoted. Meanwhile, stimulated with IFN-α up-regulated the expression of IFI16, p53 and p21 at mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited the cell cycle transition at G1/S and cell migration in HBVAFs. Such effect was restrained by transfection with IFI16 siRNA into HBVAFs. CONCLUSION：The expression of IFI16 inhibits the proliferation and migration of HBVAFs, which may be related to the activation of p53 and p21 expression.