Construction of recombinant retroviral vector of short interfering RNAs specific for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and establishment of stable HeLa cell line with a persistent knockdown of MIF

AIM: To construct recombinant retroviral vector of short interfering RNAs (siRNA) specific for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and to establish the stable knockdown of MIF cell line of mammalian cells by transfecting the recombinant retroviral vectors. METHODS: We synthesized oligo-nucleotides for MIF in vitro, and cloned them into retroviral vector pSuper.retro. Subsequently the plasmids were sequenced and digested to identify the construction of the recombinant retroviral vectors. The vectors RNAi were transfected into packing cell line PHOENIX, which was selected by puromycin later. HeLa cell line was infected by the virus supernatant of stable PHOENIX cell lines, and the stable HeLa cell line showed significantly to silence MIF was established by selecting with puromycin. We also compare the characters of HeLa-pSuper-mock to HeLa-pSuper-MIF cells by using migration assay, adhesion assay, soft agar assay and FACS analysis of the cell-cycle progression. RESULTS: The recombinant retroviral vectors were constructed successfully. The HeLa cell line infected by the supernatant containing the retrovirus of package PHOENIX cells was persistent knockdown of MIF confirmed by Western blotting. Knockdown of MIF in HeLa cells inhibited the migration and adhesion, and decreased the clone formation. FACS analysis revealed that knockdown of MIF arrested HeLa cells in G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSION: We establish the stable HeLa cell line with a persistent knockdown of MIF. Our current studies reveal that MIF is necessary for HeLa cell migration and anchorage-independent growth.     

Construction and identification of eukaryotic expression vector of bcl-2 siRNA

AIM: To construct eukaryotic expression vector of small interfering RNA(siRNA) specific to bcl-2 and investigate the effect of recombinant plasmid on suppressing bladder cancer cell growth.METHODS: siRNA of bcl-2 gene was designed according to the principle of RNAi-based medicine, and was converted into cDNA coding expression of small hairpin RNAs(shRNA) of siRNA. The cDNA was synthesized and inserted into plasmid pGenesil-1. The recombinant eukaryotic expression vectors of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were controlled by the U6 promoter of RNA polymerase Ⅲ, identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis, and transfected into T24 cells. After T24 cells were transfected for 72 h, expression of bcl-2 mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR; and MTT was used to observe the proliferation of T24 cells.RESULTS: The recombinant plasmids of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis. The sequences completely coincided with the designs. The expression of the bcl-2 mRNA in T24 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid decreased nearly 80%, and the growth of T24 cells was suppressed significantly.CONCLUSION: The siRNA eukaryotic expression vector against bcl-2 gene is successfully constructed. It effectively downregulates the expression of bcl-2 in T24 cells and suppresses the cell growth.     

Construction of a lentiviral vector for RNA interference of human EGFL7 gene and its stable expression in human laryngeal carcinoma cells

AIM：To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in the pathogenesis and progress of laryngeal carcinoma via constructing a lentiviral expression vector for RNA interference (RNAi) of human EGFL7 gene and assessing the gene-silencing effect of the vector in human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (HEp-2) cells. METHODS：Specific RNAi target sequences were designed focused on human EGFL7 gene sequence. The double-stranded oligonucleotides were cloned into the pcDNA6.2-GW/EmGFP-miR plasmid after synthesis and annealing. A positive clone was subcloned into the pLenti6.3-MCS/V5-DEST vector after sequence analysis. The recombinant lentivirus was harvested from 293T cells co-transfected with the positive recombinant plasmid and lentiviral packing materials. HEp-2 cells were infected with the recombinant lentivirus and the cells with stable EGFL7 knockdown were screened by blasticidin selection. EGFL7 mRNA expression in the cells was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS：A recombinant lentiviral vector expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against EGFL7 gene was obtained and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The virus titer was 5×1011 TU/L, and the silencing efficiency was 97%. CONCLUSION：A lentiviral vector targeting human EGFL7 gene, capable of stable EGFL7 gene knockdown in HEp-2 cells, has been successfully constructed, which provides a basis for further study of the relationship between human laryngeal carcinoma and EGFL7 protein.     

Effects of SphK1 and FAK on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colon cancer HCT116 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of sphingosine kinase l(SphK1) and focal adhesion kinase(FAK) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. METHODS: Human colon cancer HCT116 cells were divided into 3 groups. N, N-dimethylsphingosine(DMS) was used to suppress the activity of SphK1. PF573228 was used to suppress the activation of FAK. The cells treated with equal volume of culture medium severed as control group. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The protein expression of SphK1, FAK and the EMT relative protein E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) 2 was analyzed by Western blot. The mRNA expression of SphK1, sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P), FAK, E-cadherin and vimentin was detected by real-time PCR. The ability of tumor cell migration was measured by wound-healing assay. RESULTS: The cell viability of HCT116 cells was suppressed by DMS and PF573228 in dose and time dependent manners. DMS significantly suppressed the expression of SphK1, FAK, N-cadherin, vimentin and MMP2, meanwhile enhanced the expression of E-cadherin. PF573228 reduced the expression of FAK, SphK1, N-cadherin, vimentin and MMP2, meanwhile increased the expression of E-cadherin(P<0.01). In addition, the migration ability of HCT116 cells was significantly decreased by treating with DMS and PF573228(P<0.01). Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of FAK, SphK1, S1P and vimentin was decreased, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased significantly in PF573228 group and DMS group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SphK1 and FAK signaling pathways may play an important role in the occurrence of EMT in the colon cancer HCT116 cells.     

Effects of BCL-3 gene silencing on the proliferation and drug sensitivity of human colorectal cancer cell line RKO with high expression of BCL-3

AIM：To construct lentiviral vectors for RNA interference (RNAi) of BCL-3 gene, and to detect the changes of biological behaviors and drug sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells after BCL-3 gene silencing. METHODS：The expression of BCL-3 in five human colorectal cancer cell lines was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Lentiviral vectors for RNAi of BCL-3 gene were constructed and transfected into the human colorectal cancer cell line with high expression of BCL-3, and then the silencing effect was detected by Western blotting. After BCL-3 gene silencing, the change of cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay, and the change of drug sensitivity was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS：BCL-3 was highly expressed in human colorectal cancer cell line RKO. Lentiviral vectors for RNAi of BCL-3 gene were successfully constructed, and Western blotting showed that BCL-3-shRNA2 could efficiently inhibit the expression of BCL-3 protein in RKO cells. After BCL-3 gene silencing, the proliferation ability and colony formation rate of RKO cells were decreased, and the median inhibitory concentration of oxaliplatin for RKO cells also decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of BCL-3 gene expression decreases the proliferation ability of human colorectal cell line RKO with high expression of BCL-3, and enhances the sensitivity of RKO cells to oxaliplatin.     

Effect of microtubule-destabilizing protein stathmin gene silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line 5-8F

AIM: To investigate the effects of stathmin gene silencing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line 5-8F. METHODS: Double-strand siRNA targeting to stathmin gene was obtained by chemical synthesis and annealing, and was sub-cloned into the vector pGenesil-1.1. The plasmid was introduced into 5-8F cells by liposome-mediated transfection. The gene expression of stathmin, and the proliferation, morphology and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed by Western blotting, MTT assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The cell suppression rate in stathmin gene silencing group was (53.01?1.12)%, significantly higher than that in transfection reagent group and in negative control group. The cell apoptotic rate in stathmin gene silencing group was (8.75?0.67)%, also significantly higher than that in transfection reagent group and in negative control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Silencing of stathmin gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells inhibits the cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis.     

Construction of shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting PERK gene and effect of PERK gene knockdown on apoptosis in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced L02 hepatocytes

AIM: To construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vectors targeting the gene of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase ( PERK ), and to observe the effect of PERK gene knockdown on apoptosis of human normal hepatic L02 cells treated with thapsigargin. METHODS: Three shRNA expression vectors targeting PERK gene, named PERK1-shRNA, PERK2-shRNA and PERK3-shRNA, and one non-homologous negative control expression vector (HK-shRNA) were constructed based on the nucleotide sequence of PERK and the criteria of designing small interfering RNA (siRNA), and were identified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis. After L02 hepatocytes were transfected with the plasmids, the PERK expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the plasmid with the best inhibitory effect on PERK expression was screened. The cell viability and apoptotic rate of L02 hepatocytes transfected with PERK-shRNA under endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) were measured by the methods of MTT and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS: Four shRNA expression vectors were constructed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PERK gene decreased significantly in L02 hepatocytes transfected with PERK1-shRNA, PERK2-shRNA and PERK3-shRNA as compared with those in control cells (P<0.05). The interfering effect of PERK1-shRNA on PERK gene expression was the best. PERK knockdown by PERK1-shRNA increased the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of L02 cells under ERS.CONCLUSION: The shRNA expression vectors targeting PERK gene are constructed, and PERK gene knockdown may inhibit apoptosis in L02 hepatocytes under ERS.     

Transfer of siRNA against CD73 suppresses human breast cancer cell line MB-MDA-231 adhesion to extracellular matrix

AIM:To study the effect of CD73 on breast cancer cell line MB-MDA-231 adhesion to extracellular matrix.METHODS: ① CD73 siRNA plasmid was constructed and transfected into MB-MDA-231 cells by lipofectamine 2000.② The transfection efficiency was analyzed by flow cytometry using eGFP as a marker gene.Stable transfected MB-MDA-231 cells were selected using G418.③ RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis of CD73 expression in MB-MDA-231 cells was performed.④ The effects of CD73 on MB-MDA-231 cells adhesion to extrace...     

Effect of RNA interference on HIF-2 in the renal cancer cell line 786-0

AIM: To study the effect of RNA interference on hypoxia-inducible factor-2 (HIF-2) in the renal cell cancer in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: HIF-2 RNAi was synthesized and inserted into RNA interference eukaryotic expression vector which was confirmed by sequencing. The vector was transfected into the renal cancer cell 786-0 and positive clone was selected by using G418. The HIF-2 expression was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting method. The growth of cells was measured by MTT method. Nude mouse xenograft assays were also done. RESULTS: Compared with empty vector group and control group, the amounts of HIF-2 mRNA and protein expression were lower in the HIF-2 RNAi group, the difference was significant (P<0.01). No significant difference between empty vector group and control group was observed. The cell growth in the HIF-2 RNAi group become slower. Compared with control group, the growth of tumor was slower in the RNAi group in the nude mice (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HIF-2 RNAi inhibits the expression of 786-0 and cell growth, and slows the growth of tumor in the nude mice. The result provides new application for biological therapy in the renal cell cancer.     

Effects of shRNA targeting COL1A1 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231

AIM: To investigate the effects of shRNA-mediated collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. METHODS: The specific recombinant vector pSilencer2.1-U6-COL1A1 was transiently transfected into human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with lipofectamine. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression levels of COL1A1. MTT assay was employed to evaluate the effect of COL1A1 gene silencing on the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis and cell cycle of transfected cells. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS: Compared with mock group and scrambled group, the mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 were reduced by pshRNA-COL1A1 transfection (P<0.05). The proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells treated in shRNA-COL1A1 was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent way. The percentages of G₀/G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly higher in pshRNA-COL1A1 group than those in mock and scrambled group (P<0.05). The changes of apoptotic morphology such as cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation were also observed by staining with Hoechst 33258 under fluorescence microscope. CONCLUSION: Transfection of eukaryotic expression vector pshRNA-COL1A1 effectively inhibits the proliferation, induces apoptosis and arrests MDA-MB-231 cells in G0/G1 phase.     

Manumycin inhibits the activity of breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 via inducing apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the anticancer effect of manumycin on abdominal metastatic breast cancer cell line - SK-BR-3 and its relationship with p38 MAPK. METHODS: The test of anticancer effect was performed by the method of MTT, apoptosis induced by manumycin and affected by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, were examined by caspase-3 activity assay kit, and the protein expression was detected by immunoblotting assay. RESULTS: The inhibition rates at 24 h after treatment with manumycin of 6 μmol/L, 18 μmol/L, 54 μmol/L were (7.4±3.9)%, (21.0±4.4)% and (64.7±4.1)%, respectively and showed dosage-effect relationship. Compared with the control group, the survival rates of the last two treatment groups were decreased significantly (P<0.01). The value of IC₅₀ 24 h after treatment with manumycin was 42.5 μmol/L. Manumycin simultaneously activated caspase-3 protein, which was partly blocked by p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. The results of immunoblotting showed that manumycin increased p38 MAPK protein phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Manumycin exerts anticancer effect on SK-BR-3 cell line via inducing cell apoptosis, which is partly regulated by p38 MAPK.     

Effect of microRNA-100 on proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM：To investigate the effect of microRNA-100 (miR-100) on the proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS：Synthetic miR-100 mimic and its negative control were transfected into human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells by liposome method. After transfection, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation activity. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) at mRNA and protein levels was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS：The transfection efficiency mediated by cationic liposome was greater than 85%. The inhibitory rates of cell proliferation in HepG2 cells were (43.5±12.2)%, (46.5±3.7)% and (52.1±0.2)% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfected with miR-100 mimic, respectively, which were significantly increased as compared with the control cells. Moreover, the cell proliferation index in experimental group (35.8 ± 1.4) was higher than that in negative control group (39.2 ± 1.0) and simple liposome group (40.7 ± 2.0) at 72 h. At the same time, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Plk1 obviously decreased in HepG2 cells transfected with miR-100 at 72 h after transfection. CONCLUSION：miR-100 suppresses the proliferation activity of hepatocarcinoma cells by down-regulating Plk1 gene expression.     

Knockdown of astrocyte elevated gene-1 by siRNA inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line

AIM: To investigate the effect of siRNA-induced astrocyte elevated gene-1 ( AEG-1 ) down-regulation on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of neuroblastoma cells. METHODS: An siRNA targeting to AEG-1 mRNA (AEG-1 siRNA) was constructed and transfected into neuroblastoma cells with Lipofectamine 2000. A non-specific siRNA (control siRNA) and non-treatment were used as negative control and blank control,respectively . The cell proliferation was detected by MTT method and colony formation assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with control groups, the expression of AEG-1 mRNA was evidently declined in the cells transfected with AEG-1 siRNAs (P<0.05). AEG-1 siRNA significantly decreased the cell proliferation. After treated with AEG-1 siRNA for 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significant increased and the cell cycle was arrested in G₀/G₁ phase compared with the control cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of AEG-1 is down-regulated by AEG-1 siRNA in neuroblastoma cells. Knockdown of AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibits cell proliferation and apoptosis, and induces cell arrest in G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle.     

Effects of RNA interference of FABP5 on subcutaneous tumor of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG 2 transplanted in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the effect of recombinant lentiviral vector for RNA interference (RNAi) on the expression of fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and tumor formation in nude mice.METHODS: RNAi lentiviral vector was used in the experiment. Human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were divided into 3 groups:the HepG2 cells in experimental group were transfected with the recombinant lentivirirus vector LV-shRNA-FABP5, the cells in negative control group were transfected with a control lentiviral vector LV-shRNA-NC, and the cells in normal control group were without any treatment. The nude mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. The growth of the transplanted tumor cells in the nude mice was observed. The tumor growth curve, volume and weight were determined 4 weeks after the cell inoculation. The expression of FABP5 was detected by real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: Transfection of the lentiviral vector FABP5-shRNA obviously reduced FABP5 expression in the HepG2 cells. Tumor formation was all positive in the 3 groups of the nude mice inoculated with the tumor cells. Compared with normal control group and negative control group, the tumor growth slowed significantly in experimental group with smaller volume and weight. FABP5 expression in the transplanted tumor tissues was significantly down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels in experimental group as compared with normal control group and negative control group.CONCLUSION: RNAi-induced down-regulation of FABP5 effectively inhibits the growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that FABP5 gene may be an effective target for gene therapy in treating liver cancer.     

Knockdown of RRM2 gene by siRNA inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation,migration and tumor growth in nude mice

AIM: To explore the effect of ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) gene knockdown by siRNA on the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expression leves of RRM2 in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and human normal breast cell line MCF-10A were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting. siRNA-RRM2 was constructed and transfected into MCF-7 cells at different time points and different concentrations. The silencing efficiency of RRM2 gene was detected by real-time PCR. The cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The migration was observed using Transwell cell migration system. The effect of siRNA-RRM2 on the tumor growth was determined in nude mice. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of RRM2 were higher in MCF-7 cells than those in MCF-10A cells. siRNA-RRM2 down-regulated the expression of RRM2 in MCF-7 cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. The results of CCK-8 assay showed that siRNA-RRM2 inhibited the proliferation ability of MCF-7 cells, but not that of MCF-10A cells. The results of Transwell assay indicated that siRNA-RRM2 inhibited the migration ability of MCF-7 cells. siRNA-RRM2 also inhibited the tumor growth in nude mice. CONCLUSION: RRM2 overexpression is associated with the breast cancer proliferation and migration. Suppression of RRM2 function is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating breast cancer.     

Proliferation-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of cinnamic acid combined with cisplatin on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97

AIM：To investigate the effects of cinnamic acid (CA) combined with cisplatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97. METHODS：Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97 was culured and divided into CA group, cisplatin group, CA+cisplatin group and control group. MTT assay, inverted microscopy, annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry were applied to identify the viability, morphology and apoptosis of the cells. The apoptosis-related signaling protein caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS：CA and cisplatin either alone or in combination significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced obvious apoptosis of MHCC97 cells, while CA alone or combined with cisplatin had no significant inhibitory effect on normal human liver L-02 cells. The rates of mid-and late apoptosis or necrosis were higher in cisplatin group than that in CA group or combination group, but the early apoptotic rate was just the opposite. Pro-apoptotic activity in combination group was much stronger than that in CA group or cisplatin group at lower concentration, and combination group promoted apoptosis and decreased the cytotoxic side effects of cisplatin. CA and cisplatin either alone or in combination also up-regulated the cleaved caspase-3 expression in a time-dependent manner, and the effects in CA group and combination group were higher than that in cisplatin group. CONCLUSION：CA and cisplatin either alone or in combination inhibit the growth of MHCC97 cells by inducing apoptosis, and the activation of caspase-3 may play important roles in these processes.     

Induction of apoptosis with Salvia miltiorrhiza monomer IH764-3 via downregulating focal adhesion kinase in H2O2-stimulated hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of IH764-3 on the apoptosis of H₂O₂-stimulated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) and the alteration of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). METHODS: The proliferation of HSCs was examined by direct cell count and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin-V/PI labeling, while the morphological change was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, FAK mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: H₂O₂ promoted the proliferation of HSCs. IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The HSC apoptotic rates of different groups were 6. 35%,9. 28%,15. 10%,19. 69%,respectively, after treated with different concentrations of IH764-3 for 48 h while H₂O₂ group showed 2. 30%. In 30 mg/L group, the apoptosis rates were 6. 73%、10. 34%、15. 10% for the indicated time periods(12 h, 24 h, 48 h). In the presence of IH764-3, FAK mRNA decreased. The FAK mRNA reduction began at 2 h after adding IH764-3. CONCLUSION: IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs. Down-regulating the expression of FAK mRNA may be one of its mechanisms.     

Effect of siRNA-mediated Smad3 silence on proliferation and apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of siRNA-mediated Smad3 silence on proliferation and apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).METHODS: HSCs-T6 cells were divided into 3 groups: blank group, negative control group and siRNA-Smad3 transfection group. The siRNA-Smad3 was transfected into HSCs-T6 cells. At different time points after transfection, cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and protein levels of P53 and Bcl-2 were determined by immunocytochemistry.RESULTS: HSCs proliferation was significantly inhibited at the time points of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfection. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of HSCs was significantly increased in siRNA-Smad3 transfection group (P<0.01). Compared to the control cells, the protein expression of P53 was significantly increased while Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased 48 h after transfection in siRNA-Smad3 transfection group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The siRNA-mediated Smad3 silence significantly inhibits HSCs proliferation and induces apoptosis by up-regulating the P53 expression and down-regulating the Bcl-2 expression in HSCs.     

Construction of lentiviral vector-mediated siRNA knockdown of ER-α36and its action on gastric cancer cell growth

AIM: To construct a lentiviral vector for stable delivery of the ER-α36gene and to detect its effect on SGC7901 cell growth. METHODS: The efficient RNAi targeting sequences identified for the ER-α36gene were screened. The Oligo DNA was synthesized with target sequences and annealed to form double-stranded DNA. Then it was digested by XhoI and EcoR I and connected with GV307 vector to produce LV-ER-α36-RNAi lentiviral vector. PCR was used to screen the positive clones and sequence. The LV-ER-α36-RNAi, pHelper 1.0 and pHelper 2.0 plasmids were co-transfected into 293T cells for producing lentiviral vector and infecting SGC7901 cell line. Fluorescence microscopy, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the transfection efficiency and gene silencing effect. 17β-estrodial at concentration of 1×10-10 mol/L was used to stimulate the recombinant cell line, and the action on the growth of gastric cancer cells and the expression of Src, ERK1/2 and cyclin D1 were determined. RESULTS: DNA sequencing analysis confirmed the identity of recombinant shRNA expression vectors. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that transfection efficiency was above 80%. Transfection of LV-ER-α36-RNAi significantly knocked down the expression of ER-α36 at mRNA and protein levels with tetracycline (TeT) simulating as revealed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Compared with control group, the growth of the recombinant cell line declined and the expression of Src, ERK1/2 and cyclin D1 and the activation of Src decreased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Lentiviral vectors that silenceER-α36expression are constructed successfully and can be used to study the role of ER-α36 in gastric cancer. The ER-α36is related with many kinds of cancer cell growth, including gastric cancer cells.