Stable reversal of multidrug resistance of colon cancer cells by RNAi targeting MDR1 gene

AIM: To investigate the reversal effect of RNAi targeting MDR1 gene on MDR1/P-gp-dependent multidrug resistance of colon cancer cells. METHODS: Plasmid vectors pSilencer-#4029 encoding #4029 MDR1 siRNA and pSilencer-#4123 encoding #4123 MDR1 siRNA were constructed, respectively. Plasmid vectors were transfected into COLO 320DM cell line, a colon cancer multidrug resistance cell line. Clone cells were screened by G418 and identified by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell viabilities were measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed with flow cytometry. Intracellular adriamycin accumulations were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp in positive clone cells (clone #4029 and clone #4123) were all inhibited. IC50 of adriamycin and vincristine for COLO 320DM parent cells were 9.616 μmol/L and 0.358 μmol/L, respectively. However, for clone #4029, they were decreased to 1.094 μmol/L and 0.023 μmol/L, respectively (P<0.01). For clone #4123, they were decreased to 0.780 μmol/L and 0.035 μmol/L, respectively (P<0.01). The PI/AI values of COLO 320DM parent cells treated with adriamycin and vincristine were 5.68 and 9.59, respectively. However, they were decreased to 2.74 and 3.59 respectively for clone #4029 (P<0.01). They also decreased to 2.75 and 3.24 respectively for clone #4123 (P<0.01). The intracellular adriamycin accumulation concentrations of COLO 320DM parent cells treated with 10 μmol/L adriamycin were 27.92. However, they were increased to 187.24 and 215.57 for clone #4029 and clone #4123, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Stable transfection of plasmid vector encoding MDR1 siRNA stably reverses MDR1/P-gp-dependent multidrug resistance of colon cancer cells.     

Effect of RNA interference on Polo-like kinase-1 in A549 cells

AIM: To investigate whether RNA interference(RNAi) induced by small interference RNA(siRNA) could suppress Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk 1) expression and its effects in A549 cells.METHODS: A recombinant plasmid containing siRNA targeting Plk1 (psiRNA-hH1-Plk1) was transfected into A549 cells with Lipofectamine 2000.Expressions of Plk1,cyclin B1 and p53 protein were detected by Western blotting.Cell proliferation was evaluated by direct cell counting,while cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry,and expression of α-tubulin was detected by immunofluorescence.RESULTS: The results demonstrated that sequence specific siRNA targeting Plk1 was capable of suppressing Plk1 expression,and reflecting in lower kinase activity in A549 cells.The level of Plk1 protein was reduced by at least 70% after 48 h of psiRNA-hH1-Plk1 treatment relative to controls.Expressions of cyclin B1 and p53 were increased greatly after Plk1 depletion,and cells showed absence of microtubule polymerization and spindle abnormalities in staining for α-tubulin.Growth inhibition,G₂/M arrest and apoptosis were observed in psiRNA-hH1-Plk1 transfected group.CONCLUSION: All these data suggest that siRNA targeted against human Plk1 may be a valuable tool in cancer therapy.     

Inhibition of survivin expression in BGC-823 cells by RNA interference

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and specificity of gastric carcinoma gene therapy by utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit survivin expression in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Small interference RNA (siRNA) homologous to survivin was designed. pTZU6+1-siRNA-survivin vector was constructed and transfected into BGC-823 cells. The transplanted BGC-823 tumor in nude mice was established to induce RNAi. The changes of survivin gene expression, tumor cell cycle and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunochemistry and TUNEL. RESULTS: The expression of survivin was obviously inhibited by RNAi in vitro. The phase of cell cycle indicated the reduction of S phase, while G1/G0 phase increased. Cell apoptosis was obvious. Both the mRNA level and the protein expression of survivin decreased obviously. The tumor size reduced after treated with pTZU6+1-siRNA-survivin vector in vivo. The expression of survivin decreased in siRNA treatment group. In contrast, little change in control group in vitro and in vivo was observed. CONCLUSION: RNA interference down-regulates survivin gene expression, inhibits BGC-823 cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis with good specificity, which may be a possible new approach for neoplasm gene therapy.     

Regulatory effect of siRNA interference targeting BMI-1 gene on proliferation of bladder cancer EJ cells

AIM: To investigate whether siRNA-mediated BMI-1 gene silencing inhibits the proliferation of EJ cells by detecting the expression of BMI-1, p16^INK4a and p14^ARF genes at mRNA and protein levels in bladder cancer EJ cells and normal bladder transitional epithelium cells. METHODS: The protein expression and localization of BMI-1, p16^INK4a and p14^ARF in EJ cells were determined by cellular immunofluorescence. An siRNA targeting BMI-1 gene was synthesized and transfected into bladder carcinoma EJ cells by liposomes. The mRNA expression of BMI-1, p16^INK4a and p14^ARF was detected by real-time PCR and the protein levels were measured by Western blotting in bladder cancer EJ cells and normal bladder transitional epithelium cells. Cell survival was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of BMI-1 in EJ cells was higher than that in bladder transitional epithelium cells. However, the expression of p16^INK4a and p14^ARF were opposite.While BMI-1 gene in EJ cells was silenced by siRNA, the mRNA and protein expression of BMI-1 were declined whereas the expression of p16^INK4a and p14^ARF was increased. The viability of the EJ cells was decreased and the apoptotic cells were increased when BMI-1 gene was silenced. CONCLUSION: The expression of BMI-1 is inversely correlated with the expression of p16^INK4a and p14^ARF in bladder transitional cell carcinoma EJ cells. The siRNA-mediated BMI-1 gene silencing in bladder cancer EJ cells inhibits the cell growth and up-regulates the expression of p16^INK4a and p14^ARF in vitro.     

Changes of MDR1 and MRP gene expression in primary breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

AIM: To investigate the expression of drug resistance genes, MDR1 and MRP, in patients with primary breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: MDR1 and MRP gene expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in 20 patients with primary breast cancer before and after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Before chemotherapy, MDR1 and MRPexpression could be detected in 15 cases (75%) and 18 cases (90%), respectively. After chemotherapy, expression of MDR1 was not significantly different from that before chemotherapy, but expression of MRPwas significantly different from that before chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Drug resistance gene MRP, but not MDR1 expression is enhanced in patients with primary breast cancer subjected to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Effect of Beclin 1 RNA interference on Vit K3 injured SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To observe the effect of Beclin 1 silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) technique to the injury of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells by vitamin K3 (Vit K3).METHODS: The recombinant plasmid Psilencer 3.1-siRNA-Beclin 1 was transfected into SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells by eukaryotic cell transfection technique. Plasmid vector and cell culture medium were used as negative and control, respectively. The cells were collected 48 h later to extract cell RNA and total protein and to detect Beclin 1 gene expression by RT-PCR and Western blotting. 40 μmol/L Vit K3 was used to treate the Beclin 1-siRNA cells, Hoechst33342 staining was used for the determination of the percentage of cell apoptosis.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the synthetic siRNA of Beclin 1 significantly decreased the levels of Beclin 1 mRNA and protein expressions. Beclin 1 mRNA was up-regulated in 40 μmol/L Vit K3 treated SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells, the percentage of apoptosis cells increased (P﹤0.01). In beclin 1-siRNA cells, Beclin 1 mRNA was down-regulated obviously, the percentage of apoptosis cells increased significantly compared with the 40 μmol/L Vit K3 group (P﹤0.01).CONCLUSION: The transfection of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells by Psilencer3.1-siRNA-Beclin 1 effectively inhibits the expressions of Beclin 1 mRNA and protein, inhibits the activation of Beclin 1 dependent autophagic signaling pathway, and aggravates the apoptosis induced by Vit K3.     

Effects of RNA interference targeting CDC25agene on proliferation of human liver cancer HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of silencing cell division cycle 25a (CDC25a) gene on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. METHODS: CDC25agene in human hepatoma HepG2 cells was silenced by RNA interference. Real-time PCR was applied to detect the expression of CDC25a, cyclin E and CDK2 at mRNA levels in the HepG2 cells. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of CDC25a at protein level. In addition, MTT assay, Giemsa staining and flow cytometry were used to measure the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The expression of CDC25a at mRNA and protein levels in RNA silence group was lower than those in negative control group and normal control group (P＜0.05). The mRNA expression of cyclin E and CDK2 in silence group was lower than that in negative control group and normal control group (P＜0.05). The cell proliferation in silence group was lower than that in negative control group and normal control group (P＜0.05). The results of flow cytometry revealed that the cells in silence group were blocked in G1 phase. CONCLUSION: Infection of LV-CDC25a-RNAi recombinant to the HepG2 cells effectively inhibits the CDC25agene expression and the proliferation of human hepatoma cells, and arrests the cells in G1 phase, suggesting that CDC25agene may be a key target for the treatment of liver cancer.     

Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting vascular endothelial growth factor gene enhances the sensitivity of K562 cells to STI571

AIM: To investigate the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) inhibiting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene mediated by lentiviral vector on the proliferation and apoptosis of K562 leukemic cell line. METHODS: A lentiviral vector containing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting VEGF was constructed and cotransfected with the packaging plasmids mixture into 293T cells by Lipofectamine 2000. K562 cells were infected with the packaged lentivirus. The levels of VEGF mRNA and protein were detected by real-time quantitative RT- PCR, Western blotting and ELISA. Cellular proliferation was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT assay. STI571 (imatinib mesylate)-induced apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The lentiviral shRNA vector targeting VEGF was successfully constructed and transfected into K562 cells. The expressions of VEGF mRNA and protein in K562-shVEGF cells transfected with pRNAT-shRNA were significantly inhibited when compared with those of K562 and K562-con cells (mock transduction). The proliferation rate of K562-shVEGF cells slowed down. After STI571 treatment, the percentages of apoptotic cells in K562-shVEGF cells increased more significantly than those of K562 and K562-con cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of VEGF by lentivirus-mediated RNAi effectively inhibits proliferation and increases the sensitivity of K562 cells to STI571.     

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.     

RNA interference inhibits the secretion of IL-1α in mice spleen lymphocytes

AIM:To decide the effect that selected siRNA degrades mRNA of IL-1α specifically and suppression of its expression after connected with target site with homology complementary sequence. METHODS:Synthesized DNA expression box aimed directly at target site through PCR reaction in vivo was purified, and transfected into lymphocytes stimulated by LPS. siRNA was transcribed by cellular endogenous RNA polymerase Ⅲ and then evoke the degradation of target mRNA. After 48 hours of transfection, the cell culture supernatant was collected and the concentration of IL-1α was assayed using ELISA. RESULTS:Compared with blank-control and negative- control, selected sequence decreased the expression of IL-1α. Rate of the suppression was about 15%. CONCLUSION:RNAi technology produces specific interference effect in mouse spleen lymphocytes in original culture and inhibits the excretion of IL-1α.     

Effects of targeting interference of GPx1 gene expression on growth and migration of glioblastoma multiforme cells

AIM: To verify the role of enhancing or suppressing the expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) in the growth, migration and invasion of glioblastoma multiforme cell lines U87MG and U118MG. METHODS: U87MG and U118MG cell lines were transfected with the vector containing specific siRNA or pcDNA3.1 recombinant plasmid both targeting GPx1. The mRNA and protein expression levels of GPx1 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. MTS assay was applied for determining the cell activity. The abilities of migration and invasion were examined by Transwell assay. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group and negative group, the inhibitory rate of the cell activity in U87MG cells in siRNA group was significantly reduced by 25.9%, 35.7% and 34.8% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, the cell activity of U118MG cells in pcDNA3.1-GPx1 group was significantly increased by 22.7%, 45.8% and 39.8% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05). In siRNA group, the inhibitory rate of migration in U87MG cells was 41.6%±8.2% and the invasion was 41.6%±8.2% compared with blank control group and negative group (P<0.05). The cell migration and invasion rates of the U118MG cells in pcDNA-GPx1 group were increased by 55.8%±9.8% and 60.8%±9.2%, respectively, compared with blank control group and negative group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of GPx1 by specific siRNA reduces the capability of cell growth, migration and invasion of U87MG cells, while up-regulation of GPx1 by pcDNA3.1-GPx1 increases the capability of cell growth, migration and invasion of U118MG cells.     

Effect of mineralocorticoid receptor gene silencing by RNA interference on proliferation and apoptosis of murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7

AIM: To establish stable knockdown of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression through short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. METHODS: Stable MR silencing in RAW 264.7 cells was achieved by recombinant shRNA plasmid targeting murine MR gene via liposome-mediated transfection, followed by G418 selection. The efficacies of plasmid transfection and MR silencing in G418-resistant cells were verified by immunofluorescent microcopy and real-time PCR, respectively. Proliferative activity of MR-silencing cell line was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: MR gene expression was down-regulated by 70% compared with the negative control (NC) plasmid transfection. In addition, MR-silencing cells exhibited lower proliferative activity compared with NC and wide type RAW 264.7 cells (P<0.05), along with reduced proliferation index of 31.0%±1.3% (P<0.05), compared with the wide type cells (37.2%±0.5%) and the NC cells (37.5%±1.6%). In resting state, the apoptotic rate in wide type, NC and MR-silencing cells were 2.18%±0.36%, 6.65%±0.81% and 7.70%±1.34%, respectively, and no statistical difference was observed between NC and MR-silencing cells (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MR gene silencing inhibits the proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophages, but has no obvious effect on the apoptosis of the resting state cells.     

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.     

Effect of antisense RNA targeting Polo-like kinase 1 on cell growth in A549 lung cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) depletion on cell cycle progression and cell growth in lung cancer cells.METHODS: A recombinant plasmid containing antisense RNA targeting Plk1 (pcDNA3-Plk1) was transfected into A549 cells by lipofectine. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to examine Plk1 gene expression. Cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting and BrdU labeling. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. Inhibition rate (IR) of vinorebline (NVB) was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: After transfected with pcDNA3-Plk1 into A549 cells, the expression levels of Plk1 mRNA and protein were greatly decreased. Abnormal morphological changes of cells and growth inhibition were observed in pcDNA3-Plk1 transfected cells. The BrdU labeling index was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). Cells showed a strong G₂/M arrest and apoptosis 72 h post transfection. IR of vinorebline in pcDNA3-Plk1 transfected groups was significantly higher than that in other groups. CONCLUSION: Antisense RNA targeting Plk1 is capable of suppressing Plk1 expression, and therefore, significantly inhibits cellular proliferation, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to chemotherapy is increased.     

Effect of beclin-1 gene silencing on TuAKe-injured gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To observe the effect of beclin-1 silencing by the technique of RNA interference on the injury of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell by Sheliugu extract (the extract from tuber of Amorphophallus konjac, TuAKe). METHODS: To knock down the expression of beclin-1 gene, SGC-7901 cells were transfected with lentiviral vector carrying beclin-1-shRNA. The beclin-1 gene knock-down and non-knock-down SGC-7901 cells were treated with TuAKe. The cell viability was analyzed by CKK-8 assay. The percentages of apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of beclin-1 and LC3 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The beclin-1 gene silencing decreased the protein expression of beclin-1 and increased the protein expression of LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells, leading to the decrease in cell viability and the increase in apoptotic rate (P<0.05). TuAKe increased the protein expression of beclin-1 and LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells, and decreased the protein expression of LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells with beclin-1 gene silencing, thus inhibiting the cell viability and increasing the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Beclin-1 gene silencing inhibits the activation of beclin-1-related signaling pathway in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, and aggravates the injury of cell viability induced by TuAKe.