Effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and oxaliplatin on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721

AIM: To investigate the effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) or oxaliplatin (L-OHP) alone and the combination of both on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro. METHODS: Human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 was treated with 2-DG or L-OHP alone, or both. The inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells was estimated by MTT method. The q value, which represents synergistic effect, was determined. Apoptotic rate and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The activity of caspase-3 was detected by a caspase-3 activity assay kit. RESULTS: 2-DG or L-OHP at different concentrations inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells obviously and the inhibitory effect on SMMC-7721 cell growth strongly depended on the exposure time and dose. When the 2 drugs worked together, the inhibitory effect was improved (P<0.05). 2-DG induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cells at G₂/M phase. When combined with L-OHP,the 2 drugs induced more severe apoptosis and arrested the cells at S and G₂/M phase. Meanwhile, the activity of caspase-3 increased when the 2 drugs used together. CONCLUSION: 2-DG inhibits the growth of hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721. The combination of 2-DG and L-OHP improves the ability of L-OHP to attack the tumor cells. The mechanism might be related to increasing the activity of caspase-3.     

Effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of microRNA-141 (miR-141) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 and normal hepatocyte line HL-7702, and to analyze the effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on the malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS: The RNA from SMMC-7721 cells and HL-7702 cells was extracted. SYBR Green real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of miR-141. Synthetic miR-141 mimic and its negative control were transfected into the SMMC-7721 cells, and miR-141 inhibitor and its negative control were transfected into the HL-7702 cells by the method of Lipofectamine. After transfection, MTS assay and BrdU-ELISA were employed to evaluate the effect of miR-141 on the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. The changes of migration ability were investigated by Transwell invasion assay. RESULTS: The expression of miR-141 in the SMMC-7721 cells was significantly lower than that in the HL-7702 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of the SMMC-7721 cells transfected with 25 nmol/L miR-141 mimic was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly increased when miR-141 was up-regulated, but the migration ability was inhibited (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of HL-7702 cells transfected with 50 nmol/L miR-141 inhibitor was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). When miR-141 was down-regulated, the percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly decreased, but the migration ability was enhanced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-141 is down-regulated in human hepatocarcinoma cell line. Up-regulation of miR-141 will not only inhibit cell proliferation and migration ability, but also affect the cell cycle and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. miR-141 may function as a tumor suppressor gene during HCC development.     

In vitro growth inhibition effects of rhHGF/cHGF on SMMC-7721 human HCC cell line

AIM:To examine the effects of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor(rhHGF) and native calf HGF(cHGF) on SMMC-7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cell line. METHODS:Human HCC cell line culture, photometric assay, and flow cytometric assay were used in this study .RESULTS:A similar type of dose-dependent cell growth inhibition effect on SMMC-7721 human HCC cells by rhHGF(5-20 μg/L) as well as by cHGF(25-100 mg/L) had been found, with the maximal effect at the highest concentration used. Approximately over 50% of the cells treated with rhHGF(5 μg/L, 10 μg/L, 20 μg/L) accumulated in the quiescent G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle over incubation periods for 3 d. CONCLUSION:The growth of SMMC-7721 human HCC cells was strongly inhibited by both rhHGF and cHGF. This might be because the cells exposed to HGF became arrested in the G₀/G₁ phase.     

Killing effect and mIFN-γ expression of gene-viral therapeutic system CNHK300-mIFN-γ on malignant tumor cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the cytotoxicity and mouse IFN-γ (mIFN-γ) expression of oncolytic adenovirus CNHK300-mIFN-γ (CNHK300-Mγ) containing mIFN-γ gene in malignant tumor cells in vitro . METHODS: Human lung cancer cell line A549, human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721, human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1, and human normal fibroblast line BJ were cultured and treated with CNHK300-Mγ, CNHK300, ONYX-015 or AdEasy-mIFN-γ (AdEasy-Mγ). TCID₅₀ assay was used to evaluate the replication ability of CNHK300-Mγ, CNHK300 and ONYX-015 in carcinoma cell lines and normal cell line, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated by cytopathic effect assay and MTT assay. The mIFN-γ expression in the supernatant was detected by ELISA after CNHK300-Mγ or AdEasy-Mγ infection in carcinoma cell lines and normal cell line. RESULTS: The tumor-specific replication ability and cytotoxicity of CNHK300-Mγ were similar to those of CNHK300. The IC₅₀ was as low as MOI of 0.47 pfu/cell for A549 cells, 0.074 pfu/cell for SMMC-7721 cells, 0.532 pfu/cell for PANC-1 cells and was as high as MOI of 281.73 pfu/cell for BJ cells. CNHK300-Mγ was a more powerful killer of malignant tumor cells than ONYX-015 (P<0.01). The tumor cells infected with CNHK300-Mγ efficiently expressed mIFN-γ in vitro and mIFN-γ largely increased as the time prolonged in A549, SMMC-7721 and PANC-1 cells. The mIFN-γ expression in the carcinoma cell lines infected with CNHK300-Mγ was much higher than that in the cells infected with AdEasy-Mγ (P<0.01), but was similar to that in the normal cell line (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: CNHK300-Mγ selectively replicates and effectively promotes the expression of mIFN-γ in carcinoma cells, and specifically kills the tumor cells.     

Different inhibition of hepatocarcinoma cell growth by As2O3 in SMMC-7721 and BEL-7402 cell lines

AIM: To explore the different inhibitory effect of arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) on hepatocarcinoma cell growth in SMMC-7721 and BEL-7402 cell lines and its mechanism. METHODS: The cell culture and trypan blue staining were used to study the inhibitory effect of arsenic trioxide on cell growth, and the glutathione (GSH) contents in hepatocarcinoma cells treated with arsenic trioxide were detected. RESULTS: Arsenic trioxide inhibited the growth of BEL-7402 cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was significant at a lower dose of 0.50 μmol/L for 24 h, however, to SMMC-7721 cells, a higher dose of 2.00 μmol/L for 96 h was needed. The inhibitory rate of arsenic trioxide (0.25-2.00 μmol/L) on BEL-7402 cell growth was higher than that on SMMC-7721 cells. The content of GSH in SMMC-7721 cells was much higher than that in BEL-7402 cells . CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in inhibition of hepatocarcinoma cell growth by arsenic trioxide between BEL-7402 and SMMC-7721 cell lines, the cause of which may be due to the difference in GSH content in BEL-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells.     

Effects of marrow stromal cell-mediated microenvironment on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

AIM: To investigate the effects of marrow stromal HS-5 cells on hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in the tumor microenvironment. METHODS: The effects of HS-5 cell-conditioned medium (HS-5-CM) on the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells were detected by MTT, wound-healing and Transwell assays. After co-culture of SMMC-7721 cells with HS-5 cells in the Transwell chamber, the expression of chemokine CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 at mRNA and protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), ELISA or Western blotting. Akt and p-Akt473 protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells treated with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 were observed by Western blotting. RESULTS: HS-5-CM promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells. The expression of CCL5 and CCR5 at mRNA and protein levels in SMMC-7721 cells was increased after co-cultured with HS-5 cells. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 inhibited the activation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the secretion of CCL5 in SMMC-7721 cells after co-cultured with HS-5 cells. CONCLUSION: HS-5 cells significantly promote the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells. Co-culture of SMMC-7721 cells with HS-5 cells activates PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to increase the secretion of CCL5 in SMMC-7721 cells.     

Regulation of octreotide on SSTR2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To observe the regulation of octreotide (OCT) on the expression of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) in Bel7402 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and the inhibition effect of OCT on the growth of HCC. METHODS: The effect of OCT on proliferative ability of Bel7402 cells was observed by MTT assay. The cell form was observed by light invert microscope. The adhesive and invasive ability was detected by cell adhesion and migration experiments. The cell cycle, SSTR2 expression of 7402 cells were determined by immunofluorescence flow cytometry. Nude mice bearing xenografts in situ were treated with OCT or saline control for 7 weeks since tumor implantation. The immunohistochemistry for SSTR2 was performed. SSTR2 mRNA expression in cell line and xenografts was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: After OCT treatment, the proliferative ability and cell form of 7402 cells didn't change significantly. The adhesive and invasive ability decreased significantly. The ratio of cells in resting state (G₀/G₁) increased, but no apoptosis peak was observed. The SSTR2 expression on 7402 cell membranes decreased significantly. SSTR2 expression in cell line of OCT group was higher than control group, but there was no significant difference between them. The mean tumor weight in mice given OCT was significantly lower than that in control group. SSTR2 immunostaining in tumor cells of treatment group showed stronger positivity, compared with control group. SSTR2 mRNA expression in xenografts after OCT treatment was significantly higher than that in control group. CONCLUSIONS: OCT inhibits the growth of HCC through SSTR2. SSTR2 is regulated by its ligand, the long-term OCT treatment increases the SSTR2 expression and enhances the effect of inhibiting HCC, however, short-term treatment may induces its desensitization and the decrease in anti-tumor effect.     

Antitumor activity of Paecilomyces tenuipes polysaccharide and its mechanism in vitro

AIM:To investigate the antitumor activity and mechanism of Paecilomyces tenuipes polysaccharide(PTPS).METHODS:PTPS-I was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation, and purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. Human erythroleukemia cell line K562, laryngocarcinoma cell line Hep2 and hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721were co-cultured with PTPS-I or the conditioned medium which prepared with PTPS-I-stimulated human mononuclear cells (PTPS-I-MNC-CM), and the proliferation of tumor cells was determined. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the proliferation of MNCs. The FQ-RT-PCR was applied to investigate the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in MNCs. RESULTS:PTPS-I-MNC-CM inhibited the proliferation of K562, Hep2 and SMMC-7721 cells in vitro (P<0.01). Cytotoxicity of PTPS-I against K562, Hep2 and SMMC-7721 cells was not observed (P<0.01). PTPS-I stimulated the proliferation of MNCs (P<0.01) and significantly enhanced the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in MNCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION:The results suggest that PTPS-I is an immunomodulator and its antitumoral activity is through the immunomodulatory mechanism rather than the direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells.     

Effects of lentivirus-mediated RWDD3 silencing on proliferation and invasion of human glioma U251 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of RWDD3 gene silencing on the biological characteristics of human glioma U251 cells.METHODS: A lentiviral vector expressing RWDD3 shRNA was constructed and transfeeted into the U251 cells. The expression of RWDD3 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell activity was determined by MTT assay. The colony formation ability was detected by the colony formation assay. The cell proliferation ability was detected by BrdU incorporation assay. The cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the changes of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis.RESULTS: Recombinant lentivirus was successfully transfected into U251 cells. Compared with the cells transfected with the scrambled shRNA and control cells, the cell activity, colony formation ability, and the invasive and migratory activities were inhibited, the cell cycle was arrested in G₀/G₁ phase, and the apoptosis was increased in the U251 cells transfected with RWDD3 shRNA(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: RWDD3 plays a vital role in proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. It may serve as a potential target of gene therapy for glioma.     

Effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on cell proliferation and cytoskeleton in hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To investigate the changes of cell growth and cytoskeleton in hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells treated with ginsenoside Rh₂.METHODS: Cell viability and apoptosis under the conditions of ginsenoside Rh₂ exposure at different concentrations were measured by MTT test and flow cytometry,respectively. The morphological changes of F-actin labeled with FITC-phalloidin were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope. The structures of nuclear matrix-intermediate fibre system were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM).RESULTS: Rh₂ at 40 mg/L for 4 days inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells more than those in control group, 10 mg/L Rh₂ group and 20 mg/L Rh₂ group. The F-actin in the cells treated with Rh₂ was well-distributed, lined up in order and the number of fibers increased, while those in the control cells were in disorder and punctiform. The results of whole mount TEM indicated that the intermediate fiber was plentiful, well-distributed and interweaved into a regular network in Rh₂ treated cells.CONCLUSION: Rh₂ effectively inhibits the cell proliferation, increases the cell apoptosis and induces the change of the cytoskeleton alignment in SMMC-7721 cells.     

Effect of oncogenic microRNA-106a on growth of normal gastric mucous epithelial cells and gastric cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the oncogenic effect of microRNA-106a (miR-106a) on normal gastric mucous epithelial cells and gastric cancer cells.METHODS: The miR-106a mimic was transfected into normal gastric mucous epithelial cell line GES-1 using liposome. The change of cell growth was measured by MTT assay. The miR-106a inhibitor was transfected into gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and SGC-7901 using liposome, and the changes of cell cycle distribution and cell cycle-related protein expression were measured by flow cytometry and Western blotting,respectively. The growth of gastric cancer was also observed using nude mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: The miR-106a mimic increased the growth of GES-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. By decreasing the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 and CDK2, the miR-106a inhibitor arrested MGC-803 cells at G₀/G₁ and G₂/M phases. The miR-106a inhibitor also arrested SGC-7901 cells at G₂/M phase by decreasing the expression of CDK1. The results of animal experiments showed that the miR-106a inhibitor significantly suppressed the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: miR-106a may play an important role in the development of gastric cancer.     

Activated NK cells against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To evaluate the role of natural killer(NK) cells against a variety of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in vitro and in vivo, and to investigate the expression of MHC class I chain-related protein (MIC protein) in these HCC cell lines. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 50 mL peripheral blood donored by a healthy volunteer and cultured in the NK cell kit followed by amplification and cytokine activation. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected by lysis experiment. Animal experiments were performed following vaccination with HCC cell lines (BEL7402, HepG2 and SMMC7721) in BALB/c-nu/nu mice. The diameters of the tumors were measured and the growth curves of difference cell lines were delineated. Three weeks later, these mice were sacrificed and the weight of the transplanted tumors was also detected. Furthermore, the expression of MIC protein was determined. RESULTS: The obvious differences of lysis effects of NK cells on different cell lines were observed, in which the lysis effect of NK cells on K562 cells was the strongest, the effect on BEL7402 cells was in the middle and the effect on SMMC7721 cells was the weakest. In animal experiments, NK cells also showed obvious and different restraining effects on a variety of HCC cell line-transplanted tumors in nude mice. The tumor inhibitory rates of NK cells were 43.5% in BEL-7402 cell-transplanted tumor, 40.7% in HepG2 cell-transplanted tumor and 36.0% in SMMC-7721 cell-transplanted tumor. The protein expression of MIC was 48.7%, 32.8% and 0.9% in the 3 cell lines,respectively. CONCLUSION: The lysis effects of NK cells on a variety of human HCC cell lines are different. The expression of MIC in the tumor cells may play distinct role in evaluating these differences.     

Expression of eEF1A2 in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To study the expression of eukaryotic elongation factor 1A2 (eEF1A2) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and the effects of eEF1A2 over-expression on the biological behaviors of the HCC cells. ME-THODS: The expression of eEF1A2 at mRNA and protein levels in the HCC tissues and matched liver tissues from 62 HCC patients, and 20 normal liver tissues were detected by the methods of real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of eEF1A2 in the HCC cells was also determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The lentivirus containing eEF1A2 gene was constructed, and was used to infect the HCC cells with low eEF1A2 expression. The expression of eEF1A2 at mRNA and protein levels in the infected cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell activity, cell cycle and mRNA expression of albumin were measured by MTT assay, DNA ploid analysis and real-time PCR, respectively.RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels and protein expression positive rates of eEF1A2 in the 62 cases of HCC tissues, were significantly higher than those of 62 matched liver tissues and 20 normal liver tissues (P<0.01). eEF1A2 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in SMMC-7721 cells and BEL-7402 cells, and expressed in SK-HEP-1 cells at low level. The expression of eEF1A2 at mRNA and protein levels in the SK-HEP-1 cells was significantly enhanced by infection of GV287-eEF1A2 expression lentivirus.Compared with negative control group (transfected with negative control lentivirus), the cell activity in eEF1A2 over-expression group (transfected with GV287-eEF1A2 expression lentivirus) was significantly enhanced, the mRNA expression of albumin was remarkably reduced, and the cells in G₀/G₁ phase were significantly decreased with increased percentage of the cells in S and G₂/M phases.CONCLUSION: eEF1A2 is selectively over-expressed in human HCC cancer tissues. eEF1A2 might be a putative oncoprotein in HCC. eEF1A2 over-expression has noticeable effects on the HCC cell proliferation enhancement, differentiation inhibition, and cell cycle acceleration through the G₀/G₁ phase to S phase and G₂/M phases.     

Inhibitory effect of liposomes survivin antisense oligonucleotide on human hepatic carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice

AIM: To explore the effects of liposomes survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) on growth of human hepatic carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. METHODS: Nude mouse model of human hepatic cancer was established by transplantation of hepatic cancer cell line SMMC-7721/ADM subcutaneously. Models were divided randomly into six groups: control group, liposome group, sense oligonucleotide (SODN) group, 200 μg/L, 400 μg/L and 600 μg/L ASODN groups. Different treatments were given respectively. Weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured, and tumor growth inhibitory rate was calculated. Morphological changes of transplanted tumor cells were observed under light microscope. The expression of Survivin was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The growth of tumors was significantly inhibits in all ASODN groups compared with control, liposome and SODN groups (P<0.05). Volume of subcutaneous tumors decreased in a time-dependent and dosage-dependent manner (P<0.5). CONCLUSION: Survivin ASODN inhibits the growth of human hepatic carcinoma in nude mice.     

Effects of zinc on biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7404

AIM: To observe the effects of exogenous zinc on the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line BEL-7404. METHODS: BEL-7404 cells were cultured with zinc sulfate at various concentrations. The intracellular concentration of zinc, cell viability, cell cycle, cell apoptosis and migration and invasion abilities were measured by TSQ fluorescent probe, MTT assay, DNA ploid analysis, acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescence staining and Transwell assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of albumin in the BEL-7404 cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: With the elevated concentration of zinc in culture condition, the concentration of zinc in the BEL-7404 cells was increased (P<0.05). The cell viability and migration and invasion abilities were decreased, while the apoptotic rate was increased (P<0.05). The cells in G₀/G₁ phase were decreased, while the cells in G₂/M phase were increased. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression of albumin also increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The zinc ion inhibits the cell viability as well as migration and invasion abilities, blocks the cells in G₂/M phase, and may reduce cell malignant phenotype.     

Reverse effects of saikoside on multidrug resistance of human leukemic cell line K562/ADM in vitro

AIM: To study the reverse effects of saikoside (SS) on the multidrug resistance (MDR) of human leukemic cell line K562/ADM and to investigate the related mechanism. METHODS: K562 cells and K562/ADM cells in the culture were treated with SS at the concentrations of 1~100 mg/L. The inhibitory rate of the cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Non-cytotoxic dose of SS was determined. K562/ADM cells were treated with SS at non-cytotoxic doses of 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/L with different concentrations of adriamycin (ADM,0.05~100 mg/L). The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and the reversal index in all groups were determined. The cell morphology was observed after treated with SS+ADM. The effects of SS on ADM accumulation in K562/ADM cells, the cell cycle profile and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The inhibitory rates were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner when the cells were treated with different doses of SS (1~100 mg/L). The available reversal concentration of SS was 5.0 mg/L and the reversal index was 21.5 folds for K562/ADM cells. After treated with SS+ADM, the number of tumor cells was decreased and apoptotic cells were increased in a dose-response relationship. ADM accumulation in K562/ADM cells treated with SS was significantly higher than that in control cells (P<0.05). SS may significantly enhanced the apoptosis of K562/ADM cells treated with ADM (P<0.05). K562/ADM cells treated with SS were blocked in the stage of G₀/G₁. CONCLUSION: SS has effect on proliferation inhibition and MDR reversal in K562/ADM cell line. The reversal mechanisms of SS may be due to increasing the accumulation of chemo therapeutics in the cell, inducing the cell apoptosis and arresting the cells in G₀/G₁ phase.     

miR-15a-5p inhibits proliferation and migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To observe the influence of high expression of miR-15a-5p on the proliferation and migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells.METHODS: The miR-15a-5p oligonucleotide, which was reconstructed with additional restriction sites of EcoR Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ, was chemically synthesized and confirmed by sequencing. The miR-15a-5p eukaryotic expression system was constructed by pcDNA6.2-GW/Em-GFP-pre-miR-15a-5p plasmid. The miR-15a-5p was transfected into the SMMC-7721 cells transiently by plasmid, and quantified by quantitative real-time PCR at the mRNA level. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the living cell counting was performed by the method of Trypan blue exclusion. The migration ability of the SMMC-7721 cells with high expression of miR-15a-5p was detected by wound healing test.RESULTS: The sequence of miR-15a-5p oligonucleotide 100% matched the designed sequence. Compared with control group, the miR-15a-5p expression was increased significantly (P<0.05). The viability, the living cell number and the migration ability of the SMMC-7721 cells were decreased in high expression of miR-15a-5p group with statistically significant difference (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The abilities of proliferation and migration in human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells are decreased by high expression of miR-15a-5p.     

Effect of HMBA on proliferation and expression of KLF6 and related proteins in human tongue carcinoma Tca8113 cells

AIM: To study the effect of hexamethylene bisacetamide(HMBA) on the proliferation and expression of KLF6 and related proteins in human tongue carcinoma Tca8113 cells. METHODS: After cultured with HMBA, the growth of the Tca8113 cells was assayed by MTT method, and the morphology of the cells was observed under microscope. The cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of KLF6 was detected by RT-PCR. The protein levels of KLF6, p53, cyclin D1 and c-Jun were measured by the method of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The number of adherent cells obviously decreased along with the concentration of HMBA, and the growth inhibition of Tca8113 cells was in a concentration/time-effect relationship after treated with HMBA. Some reversal features of the Tca8113 cells developed to normal cells in morphology after induced by HMBA. The proportion of the cells in G₁ phase was (52.00?0.02)% before treating with HMBA. The proportion of the cells in S phase was (34.00?0.08)%, and (14.00?0.10)% of G₂ phase cells. After treated with HMBA, the cell number in G₁ phase significantly increased with the exposure time going on, while the cell number in S phase significantly reduced, so did the cell number in G₂ phase. The cell cycle was significantly arrested in G₁ phase (P<0.05). The apoptosis peak also appeared. The mRNA expression of KLF6 significantly increased after induced by HMBA (P<0.05), so did the protein levels of KLF6 and p53 (P<0.05), while the expression of cyclin D1 and c-Jun was significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: HMBA inhibits the proliferation of Tca8113 cells by arresting the cell cycle in G₀/G₁ phase and resuming Tca8113 cells to normal and apoptosis at last.     

Inhibition of cell proliferation and arrest of cell cycle progression by blocking Cl- channels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM: The roles of Cl^-channels in regulatory volume decrease (RVD), cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE-2Z) were investigated. METHODS: Image analysis of living cells was used to detect the volume changes following exposure to hypotonic solutions. Cell viability was determined by the trypan blue assay. MTT method was applied to detected cell proliferation. The effect of the blocker on the cell cycle distribution was monitored by the flow cytometry. RESULTS: 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) inhibited RVD and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. NPPB at the concentration of 100 μmol/L arrested cells in G₁ phase (G₁ population increased from 54% to 71% at 48 h after treatments), but did not significantly alter cell viability. CONCLUSION: Block of chloride channels suppressed cell proliferation by arresting cells in G₁ phase. The results suggest that activation of Cl^-channels and RVD is necessary for facilitating cells to proceed to the S phase from G₁ phase and maintaining cell proliferation.     

Effects of silencing of COX-2 gene expression by siRNA on cell proliferation,cell cycles,apoptosis and tumorigenicity of human pancreatic cancer Capan-2 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of silencing of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression by siRNA on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and tumorigenicity of human pancreatic cancer Capan-2 cells.METHODS: The gene transfection was performed using Lipofectamine 2000 (Lipo). The proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of Capan-2 cells were tested by the methods of cell counting, microscopy and FCM. The mRNA expression of COX-2 was determined by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. The protein level of COX-2 was detected by Western blotting. The tumorigenicity of Capan-2 cells transfected with siRNA-COX-2 was determined using the model of nude mice. RESULTS: Transfection efficiency of 96.47% was obtained under the conditions that the transfection volume was 2 mL, concentration of Lipo was 5 μL and that of siRNA-COX-2 was 50 nmol/L. The best sequence of siRNA-COX-2 for silencing of COX-2 gene expression was siRNA006 with the silencing rate of up to 73% 24 h after tansfection. siRNA-COX-2 slowed down the growth of Capan-2 cells 48 h after transfection (P<0.05). At time points of 48 h and 72 h after transfection, the protein expression of COX-2 was down-regulated to 67% and 61% of the normal level, the proliferation inhibition rate was 35.48% and 56.32%, and the apoptotic rate was 2.03% and 3.27%, respectively. At time points of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfection, the proportion of the cells in G₀/G₁ phrase was 58.03%, 63.31% and 65.66%, and that of the cells in S phase was 30.27%, 24.87% and 22.2%, respectively. The mean volume and weight of tumor tissues were remarkably decreased due to the transplantation of Capan-2 cells transfected with siRNA-COX-2.CONCLUSION: siRNA-COX-2 effectively silences the expression of COX-2 gene, inhibits the growth and decreases the tumorigenicity of Capan-2 cells.